Thousands Of Oklahoma High School Seniors Yet To Pass Required Exam

More than 5000 high school seniors across the state will not be eligible to graduate unless they take a new state test.

The Department of Education reports 16 percent of the state's high school seniors must pass the test to show they meet the state's new graduation requirements.

Those new guidelines require students to show they have an understanding of basic Algebra and English before they can graduate.

The class of 2012 is the first to face these new requirements. Lawmakers passed a bill in 2005 setting certain benchmarks for students.

Officials said seniors will have two chances to pass any needed tests, one this winter and another in the spring.