Perry ? Freshman Kyle Volle doesn’t fret about a new requirement that he must pass math and reading tests to graduate from Perry-Lecompton High School.

In fact, he’s looking forward to taking both mandatory exams in the spring.

“I kind of like it,” Volle said. “It guarantees that more people will be able to get a solid job.”

The district’s school board voted to require the Class of 2007 — they’re freshmen this year — to pass applied math and applied reading tests before earning a diploma. All subsequent classes in the 340-student Jefferson County school district also will have to meet the mandate.

Known as “WorkKeys” tests, they are developed by ACT, the same company that makes the popular college-entrance exam.

District officials expect all students will be able to pass the tests. Students who fail to achieve a score of 4, on a testing scale of 1 to 7, can retake “Reading for Information” and “Applied Mathematics” until they register a passing mark.

“It’s fully our expectation that every kid that goes through our school can do this,” said Steve Johnston, Perry-Lecompton’s superintendent.

ACT research indicates a level 4 would qualify a graduate for about half of all jobs that exist nationally. A recent survey by the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce indicated 1,000 job vacancies had average skill requirements that would be met by students earning a 4 or better on the two exams.

“I think there’s a statement here that our board, our high school, is moving to certify that our graduates are going to have basic skills being demanded in the workplace today,” Johnston said.

Wayne Ledbetter, the district’s career counselor, said employers regularly identified lack of basic skills as a primary concern in workplace readiness.

Perry-Lecompton sophomore Cheyanne Morris, 15, takes a test Thursday morning at the school. Recently the school has taken on a new policy that all students -- starting with this year's freshman class -- will have to pass reading and math exams to graduate.

“What they want are students who are able to apply their math and reading to workplace situations. And the WorkKeys assessments specifically assess that situation,” Ledbetter said.

In addition to fundamental academic skills, employers are looking to hire reliable people with a solid work ethic, he said.

The Lawrence school district doesn’t have a test tied to graduation, and district officials have no plans to consider one.

Lawrence Supt. Randy Weseman said students were already subjected to a broad range of exams.

“I’m not sure another test … makes a lot of sense,” he said. “It’s not been brought up.”

Perry-Lecompton gave the math and reading exams to the 2002-2003 freshmen. Those students are sophomores now and won’t be required to pass the test to graduate.

However, among that group of students, 87 percent scored a 4 or better on the reading exam and 74 percent scored 4 or better on the math test.

Sophomore Alison Gantz, who was among those tested in the spring, said students doing average work at the high school level should be able to satisfy the testing mandate.

Audio clips of an interview with Supt. Steve Johnston

Tutoring during seminar periods each week should help students struggling to prepare for the tests, said freshman Claire Hinrichsen.

“Students should view it more as a tool rather than an obligation,” said sophomore David Foltz. “It’s for their future. It’s not just an obstacle.”