CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- Douglas County school officials are rethinking a policy that requires students to pass the state assessment test to graduate after 81 percent of 10th graders scored lower than proficient in math.

Statewide, 14 percent of 10th graders scored proficient or higher on the Colorado Student Assessment Program math tests administered last winter.

Douglas County is the only district in the state that requires students to pass the CSAP tests to graduate, said Rick O'Donnell, Gov. Bill Owens' deputy chief of staff.

"The CSAP was never designed to penalize the students or deny them promotion from one grade to the next or deny them graduation," he said.

Seventy-five percent of the district's students scored at least proficient in reading, compared with 63 percent statewide, and 56 percent were proficient or above in writing, compared with 44 percent statewide.

Districts in other states that have linked state proficiency tests to graduation requirements have found themselves in similar situations, O'Donnell said.

"Parents have rebelled," he said. Some districts have changed their policies and some states made tests easier, he said.

The Douglas County school board adopted a policy in July 2000 for the class of 2005 that requires students to score proficient or higher on the CSAP or an equivalent assessment.

"It was done with positive intent and believing it was a reachable goal," said Assistant Superintendent Patsy Gleason.

The district has not identified an alternative test for students to take if they fail the CSAP. Gleason said since students cannot take the CSAP again, the district will look for a similar test to measure proficiency.

Board President Kenneth Buckius said that district officials also are considering restructuring classes to better prepare students for the 10th-grade math test.

"Trigonometry questions, most kids don't have that by the 10th grade, but that's on the CSAP," he said.