AUSTIN – Nearly one of every six high school seniors – a record 40,182 students from the Class of 2007 – won't get a diploma this month after failing to pass all sections of the state's high school graduation test, the Texas Education Agency reported Friday.

Minority students were hit hardest by the test requirement. About one in four black and Hispanic seniors were unable to make the grade and won't receive diplomas during graduation ceremonies scheduled across the state over the next few weeks.

The high number of failures may give the Legislature more incentive to pass a bill that would scrap the graduation test and replace it with a series of end-of-course exams taken throughout high school. The bill, which has already passed the Senate and is awaiting action by the House, is expected to allow more students to pass and get their diplomas.

State education officials attributed the poor showing to a higher passing standard that was phased in on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills this year, requiring students to answer more questions correctly than in previous years. Students were tested in four subjects – English, math, science and social studies.

"We know that it is heartbreaking for students to miss graduating with their class," state Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley said. "I know the immediate concern deals with commencement activities, but students also need to keep their eye on the ultimate goal: earning a high school diploma.

"I encourage all students who still need to pass one or more parts of the TAKS to retake the test this summer."

The commissioner also encouraged failing students and their parents to check with their high schools to see if they can still participate in graduation ceremonies. Students who pass all of their courses but fail the TAKS can receive certificates of attendance.

Scores were generally up on the TAKS at other grade levels this spring, particularly in the seventh grade, where 70 percent of students passed all sections of the exam – up from 64 percent last year. Those students will be the first group required to pass the eighth-grade TAKS next year to be promoted to the ninth grade.

Statewide, about 3 million public school students took the TAKS test this year.