From what I've read this is a dumbed-down exam which can be repeatedly taken and requires only a 50% passing score!
There will be two immediate consequences: (1) the diploma will be virtually worthless and mean nothing to prospective employers and (2) it will assure that these academic "fakers" will never succeed in the competitive jobs and employment marketplaces.
These people are apparently too obtuse to realize they're doing these pupils NO favor by eliminating all standards. I've also heard that this is another result of the illegal invasion that's swamping and bankrupting many school districts.
It doesn't mean anything now. We only interview high school graduates. We give them a basic skills test. About one out of every five can not pass it.
(1) the diploma will be virtually worthless and mean nothing to prospective employers
I don't think that is true. The reason is that when I was in school the state did not give me a test in order to get my diploma. Now I did have these Iowa Basic Test every year or so, but they did not decide if I graduate or not. I think the fact that every student has to pass the same test in the state in order to graduate is the problem. Don't these kids have regular exams. That is what we had a final exam in every class that resulted in if you graduated or not.