The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 1

WEDNESDAY Mail 3 The art of telling biblical stories Author does it with junk AL prevails in offensive blitz Alomar selected MVP -j NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE -JJH A GANNETT NEWSPAPER VOLUME 94, NO. 189 5 SECTIONS 3 Copyright, 1998 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID IN NASHVILLE, TN ft 4 V5. TONIGHT'S 92 73 Complete weather forecast on 10B I 1 JCRJ 3 ibbbJcAi a mm More certificates This year, more students failed to pass the tougher TCAP competency test and were given attendance certificates instead of diplomas. Below are the number of attendance certificates handed out this year and last year. 1997 1998 Metro 29 73 Rutherford 1 1 34 Sumner 16 9 Williamson 2 10 Wilson 8 17 Failure rate doubles on exit exam By PAUL DONSKY Stuff Wriltr About 2200 Tennessee high school seniors failed to pass the state's assessment test this spring and graduated without diplomas, more than double the number from a year ago.

The increase, education ex the test three times but never passed. Mena, a football player, cheerleader and choir member who made B's and C's in school, has put his college plans on hold as he prepares to take the test again in October. "It's kind of odd, considering I did all the requirements for school. I passed all my classes, but I have to pass this test to show what I know," the said. "It's like, what's the point of going to high school if Turn to PAGE 2A, Column 1 ate with a regular diploma, special-education diploma or a certificate of attendance.

The assessment test, known as the "competency" test is written on an eighth-grade level and is administered four times a year starting in the ninth grade. It is part of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, or TCAP. The competency test replaced the stalled "proficiency" test, written on a sixth-grade level. Alex Mena, a recent graduate of Metro's Glencliff High, took perts say, is likely the result of a more difficult test put in place four years ago but not required for a diploma until this year. Many students who failed the assessment test had enough credits to receive diplomas, but instead had to settle for certificates of attendance.

The distinction is critical, because many employers and nearly all colleges and universities require applicants to have high school diplomas. Students in Tennessee gradu Number of seniors in Tennessee who failed the TCAP test in the spring semester. 1997 1998 No-pass 1,072 2,232 Total seniors 48,557 49,217 MM nniiii DELORES DELVIN STAFF Alex Mena received only an attendance certificate from Glencliff High School. MAT ARTON STAFF Caution: Highway work ahead TSU football comes milder NCAA probe L- Ik I Tl rU- r- -ikr' i mm 1 ilK By ANTHONY COLEMAN Sports Wnlrr The NCAA is investigating Tennessee State University's football program for possible rules violations. Officials from the National Collegiate Athletic Association were on TSU's campus last fall and again last month as part of the investigation, numerous sources said.

The NCAA questioned coaches and players concerning the recruitment of a transfer player, Tyrone Butterfield, and also are investigating whether offensive coordinator Johnny Cole let a player use his car, the sources said. TSU President James Hefner last night confirmed the investigatioa although he said he believes the NCAA will find that any violations are not serious. "We self-reported and the NCAA respects institutions that self-report," he said. "We were thorough when we I College sports' governing body's investigation process starts with letter of inquiry, on 9A. investigated ourselves, and any alleged violations that we might have here are minor." TSU Athletic Director Vivian Fuller yesterday would not discuss the investigation, saying, "Our policy concerning this matter is that we are referring all of these questions about what is going on to the NCAA's enforcement office." But according to sources, the NCAA is looking into at least two specific incidents: Former quarterback Todd Valentine was questioned last fall about his wrecking a car belonging to Cole, who is the brother of head Turn lo PAGE9A, Column I i A XT I 1 I 0 PATRICK HARDING Traffic moves along 1-65 North past a construction crew expanding the highway toward Nashville.

Panel on race produces results, its leader says 1-65 ramps added lit 12 Two-year project to expand Harding and 1-65 interchange Existing orwamp Two cmamps and another off-ramp lane are being added to Interstate 65 at Harding nace. Si II Existing I J. 5 off-ramp llMOJflQyiiELPi Sutfi Wntrr The national dialogue on race initiated by President Clinton has produced tangible action, insists John Hope Franklin, Clinton's point man on the issue. As yesterday's keynote speaker at A I Advisory board says society mustn't be colorblind, on 2A. I Justice official talks about church burnings, on 5B.

By CORWIN A. THOMAS Stuff Wnirr Interstate 65. To motorists, it means traffic, construction, traffic, concrete Harding Place Hurling Place h. vV 1 Existing orvramp 1998 Race relations conference ,1, VI I fivlnui nn-ramn I I the isk University Race Relations Institute, historian Franklin, 83, alluded to media criticism of the Advisory Board on Race that he leads. The panels, he said, have barriers and, that's right, more traffic.

Mornings and evenings it's inevitable. Well, get used to it especially when traveling near Hard fAdded lanel ft WlggJl tooflTamp Existing ofl-ramp ment of Transportation spokeswoman. "Overall, it will greatly improve the way the interchange works. Over the past years it's been getting overcrowded," she said. On an average day, 95,400 vehicles travel north and south on 15 between Harding Place and downtown Nashville, she said.

On the south side of I larding, that's 1 10,400 vehicles daily. About the same time every eek-day afternoon, the line of vehicles steadily forms. Motorists want to get off at the Harding exit, but all they see are red brake lights and concrete walls. The Harding project, although painful now, will provide more lanes for traffic to exit or merge, "kind of like at Cool Springs" in Williamson County, Grandinetti said. From the air, the finished project -y Summer of change Rxid coivitnution MATT ARTON STAFF SOURCE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FRANKLIN produced action dations.

"We've taken action each and every month that we have met," Franklin said. Later he added, "I have a stack of letters from the President telling me what he has done." Franklin emphasized the racial dialogues have sparked action, not just talk. For example: Clinton has requested a 16 increase in money as much as $300 million to enforce Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other civil rights legislation. Franklin said. I Turn to PAGE 2A, Column The interchange at I-65's other trouble spot, at Trinity Lane, also is being redesigned, and an extra lane will be added to the southbound lanes.

That project has been under construction for about a year and is targeted for completion in November. will resemble crop circles on which traffic will move swiftly. "People are thrilled. By and large the comments are she said. Grandinetti has even gotten requests from people who want to see what the finished project will look like.

ing Place. Until the summer of 2000, the congestion and construction will be part of the daily commute as the HardingI 5 interchange pavement project takes shape. Traffic, hopefully, will "merge more smoothly," said Luanne Grandinetti, Tennessee Depart- including the President's request for more funding to enforce civil rights laws and three federal lawsuits against groups discriminating against minorities. The Advisory Board on Race's final report is due to Clinton in September, but Franklin has made monthly reports, offering recommen I-' iiM l.t 1 4 1 I i ll 114 1 I Mi 1 Suspect in Ennis Cosby IsifHrM fruirtrl miUfv Ex-NAACP leader Hooks appointed to legh court Section: Local New Sports LMnfl Business Predators hit road for exhibition play Nashville To subscribe: 242-NEWS Deftvery problems: 251 5661 or 1-600-342-8237 For personal service, cafl during them timet): Mondey-Frtdey: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Seturdey: 630sm tolOJOsm.

Bundey: 7 30 im to 12 30 pm. To reach our newsroom: 6-18E Bnd About You Classified Coming tomorrow Music makers here to show their wares Manufacturers and retailers of musical products win be In town this weekend for the summer meeting of NAMM the International Music Products Association. Larry Unkin, NAMM president and CEO, discusses trends in the music products Industry, including the Increase In sales of acoustic pianos. In tomorrow' Tennesson Predators General Manager David Poile hopes a preseason on the road will Benjamin Hooks, former executive director of the NAACP, Is one of five Tennessee lawyers appointed to a special Supreme Court to consider challenges to state election laws. Hooks, 73, Mikail Markhasev was found guilty in the slaying of Bill Cosby's son, Ennis, as he changed a flat tire last year.

The young Ukrainian immigrant also was convicted of attempting to rob Cosby and using a firearm. He automatl- ralk note a lifo nrienn Comics. HHHMI. DaarAbtoy Dwtfhs EdrtoriaH Horoscope Movies NetoneJ News Sooreboerd Television World 20 OB JO TO a-ao 11A 7C 60 make for a better regular-season home opener. The eight-game exhibition schedule will begin Sept.

19 in Huntsville and continue through six statos. On 1C. 8rrts: 25WW10 Uvmrx 2S050 MARKHASEV possibility of parole. On 11 Court )udge and a Baptist pastor from 1977-93. On 1B..