Plum Borough School District has joined hundreds of school districts across the state in opposing the high school graduation competency assessments as they exist.

The district isn't opposed to the assessments, said assistant superintendent Lillian Naccarati; the opposition is strictly against the tests in their proposed state.

Specifically, the administration would like the course content to remain under local control. Naccarati said it should reflect educational standards but what students will be tested on should be clear.

"If it aims for a low score it will hurt curriculum, if it aims too high it could limit opportunities for our students," said Naccarati. "But we don't want to send the message that we don't expect high scores."

The board opposed the assessments in a 7-1 vote, with Linda Eazor dissenting and Kevin Dowdell absent.

Sal Colella, a Plum resident, asked the board to consider forming an ad hoc committee to examine the graduation requirements and write a position paper for the board before taking a vote.

Colella was against the idea of signing a "boiler plate" resolution that has been signed by hundreds of other districts and encouraged the board to consider drafting its own resolution outlining Plum's concerns.

"I have no problem with an ad hoc committee," Eazor said. "This is not a black-and-white issue. There is not a lot of thought that goes into a boiler plate resolution."

Naccarati said the testimony given to the state board mirrors the position of Plum administrators.

"There are numerous concerns on the part of the administration about the tests and the content," Naccarati said. "We need to watch for the final graduation test. In its present form the administration has a problem with the proposed assessments.

"We are not sending a message that our students shouldn't be accomplished. This discussion will continue and we hope the state discussion continues on the presumed course content."

Administrators are also concerned about the effect such a test will have on the 11th grade PSSA exams. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is opposed to the assessments as they exist and the majority of state school districts have adopted similar resolutions, said Dawn Caruso, education committee chairwoman.

"This is another unfunded mandate," Caruso said.