20% of California High School Seniors Fail Exit Exam

[China]

:dunce:

One-Fifth of High School Seniors Fail California Exit Exam

By Duke Helfand, Times Staff Writer

Nearly 100,000 California 12th graders — or about 20% of this year's senior class — have failed the state's graduation exam, potentially jeopardizing their chances of earning diplomas, according to the most definitive report on the mandatory test released today.

Students in the class of 2006, the first group to face the graduation requirement, must pass both sections of the English and math test by next June.

The exit exam, which has come under criticism by some educators, legislators and civil rights advocates, is geared to an 8th grade level in math and to ninth- and 10th grade levels in English.

But the report by the Virginia-based Human Resources Research Organization showed that tens of thousands of students — particularly those in special education and others who speak English as a second language — may fail the test by the end of their senior year despite remedial classes, after-school tutoring and other academic help.

Teachers, according to the report, said that that many students arrive unprepared and unmotivated for their high school courses and that their grades often reflect poor attendance and low parental involvement.

The group conducted a review of the test results as part of a report ordered by the Legislature when it instituted the exit exam several years ago.

Among its findings: 63% of African Americans students, and 68% of Latinos in the class of 2006 have passed both parts of the exam.

By comparison, 89% of Asian students, and 90% of whites, have passed.

The report recommended that the state keep the exam in place but consider several alternatives for students who can't pass.

"Clearly, we need to have some options for these students," said LauressÖ L. WiseÖ, the firm's president, in a telephone interview with reporters.

The state, for example, could allow seniors to submit portfolios of work that demonstrate mastery of English and math, the report's authors suggested.

The report also suggested that schools could allow students to spend an extra year in high school or earn diplomas for completing special summer school programs in lieu of the exam.

Additionally, the state could establish alternate diplomas or graduation certificates for students who pass part of the exit exam, the group suggested.

But California's Supt. of Public Instruction, Jack O'Connell, said he opposes any change that would diminish the worth of a high school diploma.

"It's important to keep one core principal front and center: awarding a student a diploma without the skills and knowledge to back it up does the student a disservice," said O'Connell, who added that his staff would study the options spelled out in the new report.

The exit exam was originally slated for students in the class of 2004. But disappointing passing rates prompted state education officials to push the requirement back two years. The state also shortened the test from three days to two.

Students get several opportunities to pass the exam in high school, and they only have to correctly answer a little more than half of the questions to succeed.

Even so, the exam has come under legal attack by disability rights advocates who fear the impact on special education students; just 35% of such students have passed both parts of the exam so far.

A bill recently approved by the Legislature, which sought to settle a special education lawsuit, would delay the requirement for another two years for many students with disabilities. Schwarzenegger has not indicated his position on the measure.

Special education advocates and others who oppose the mandatory graduation requirement called Friday's report a sobering wake-up call.

Opponents of the exam said that it penalizes minority students and those in low-income communities whose overcrowded schools often lack experienced teachers and other necessary resources.

"It's unfair to give this test because of the unequal school system we have," said Edgar Sanchez, who teachers U.S. history at Washington Preparatory check tol High School in South Los Angeles. "Every day I see students go through conditions of overcrowding. Sometimes students don't have a desk to sit at."

Los Angeles High School senior D'Janay ÖO'Neal had another complaint. She said she freezes up on the math portion of the test because "math has never been my strong suit."

O'Neal, 17, said she passed the English section on the first try but has failed the math part three times. She is taking an extra remedial math class this semester to help her pass the test, in addition to her Algebra II class and two Advance Placement courses. She said she has a 2.0 grade point average

"I am totally freaking out that I may not graduate," said O'Neal, who attended rally against the exit exam this week in a park next to her high school.

"No matter what happens, I'm going to college because I need college to further my education," she said.

The high school protesters — carrying banners that read "Educate Don't Terminate" and "Don't Judge Students By One Test" — denounced the exam as discriminatory.

They called for Schwarzenegger to sign another bill that would allow schools districts the freedom to evaluate students through alternative assessments such as portfolios of work. The Legislature recently approved the bill, which is sitting on the governor's desk. Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on the bill, a spokeswoman said.

[Cskin]

And the solution....per the ****roaches in Washington..... is to spend even more money. :doh:

Here's how to fix the "dumber than ever" high school kids.... get the damn govt. out of public schools and abolish the term "political correctness".

[Chopper Dave]

And the solution....per the ****roaches in Washington..... is to spend even more money. :doh:

Here's how to fix the "dumber than ever" high school kids.... get the damn govt. out of public schools and abolish the term "political correctness".

Keep in mind, and I'm sure I'll get pegged as racist for this, but it's true, the numbers in California are skewed because there are so many Mexican immigrants. I'm not calling them stupid, but it's pretty hard to pass a test in a language you barely understand.

Cskin, you're partially right, but ultimately the numbers will be where they are as long as the immigration rate stays where it is.

[SKINS@THEGOALLINE]

They called for Schwarzenegger to sign another bill that would allow schools districts the freedom to evaluate students through alternative assessments such as portfolios of work. The Legislature recently approved the bill, which is sitting on the governor's desk. Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on the bill, a spokeswoman said.

The legislature should call for Arnold to take the exit exam.

[Destino]

Here's how to fix the "dumber than ever" high school kids.... get the damn govt. out of public schools

That's how they do it in the third world and who doesn't want to be just like them?

The way to fix the public school system is to abolish this "smaller class sizes" bull****, abolish the teachers union, hire less staff that is better qualified at higher pay without union BS getting in the way, and most of all RAISE THE STANDARDS. Set up seperate classes for the kids that can't keep up so they don't slow down the majority, and if they feel insulted by it, too damn bad.

Also demand kids come to class to work not socialize. Times have changed and rigid structure is no longer provided in American homes.

[twa]

That's how they do it in the third world and who doesn't want to be just like them?

The way to fix the public school system is to abolish this "smaller class sizes" bull****, abolish the teachers union, hire less staff that is better qualified at higher pay without union BS getting in the way, and most of all RAISE THE STANDARDS. Set up seperate classes for the kids that can't keep up so they don't slow down the majority, and if they feel insulted by it, too damn bad.

Also demand kids come to class to work not socialize. Times have changed and rigid structure is no longer provided in American homes.

Very good list...Get back to teaching and standards that identify those that need more help or tutoring....Oh and cut out the top heavy district brass.

[Thiebear]

I'd much rather them fail a test than have 30% pregnant like the other school..

THeres a silver lining everywhere is your willing to point at something worse .

[Destino]

Very good list...Get back to teaching and standards that identify those that need more help or tutoring....Oh and cut out the top heavy district brass.

Yeah I forgot the district brass. Those people eat up funds and serve no needed role. Send them to work for the department of homeland security or some other bloated government entity in need of qualified middle managers.