For some, exit exam taints rite of passage

Contra Costa Times ^ | 6/9/9 | Shirley Dang

[newzjunkey]

In the audience sat Valenzuela's 3-year-old daughter, Aileen

Maybe this be why she dunno enuff Ingrish?

[napscoordinator]

A High School Diploma is supposed to mean something.



I will never forget the day we went to pick up graduation gowns a few days before graduation after completing four long years of high school. lol. Everyone was all excited and we were placed in alphabetical order. The guy who was in front of me was the same guy who had sat in back of me all four years of homeroom. He stepped up next to get his goan. He yelled out his name and then The Vice Principal said, "Sorry you are not graduating. You did not pass English this year." Well I was next and I was thinking "oh great. I hope my parents paid all the tuition" (Catholic school). I luckily squeeked by with regards to tuition and grades. I feel bad for the kid especially two days before graduation finding out and he was crying. It was kinda a weird situation, but that was the system they used for us and I guess it seems California is using their system. Everyone needs to live by the rules of the school.

[Amelia]

Valenzuela held her own certificate. But in a way, she left empty-handed. She does not qualify for a diploma after failing the English part of the high school exit exam -- a denial she keenly felt during the ceremony.

Yeah, like what was the point of even being there if you aren't getting a diploma?

[SmithL]

Yeah, like what was the point of even being there if you aren't getting a diploma?

Ping to #37

[Amelia]

Around here, if they don't meet all the requirements for graduation (including passing the exit exams) they aren't allowed to participate in the ceremony.

I think that's as it should be.

[SmithL]

Around here, if they don't meet all the requirements for graduation (including passing the exit exams) they aren't allowed to participate in the ceremony.
I think that's as it should be.

That IS as it should be, but until an idiot in robes activist judge was overturned by the California Supreme Court a couple of weeks ago, most school districts in the area were prepared to give diplomas to everyone.

[hauerf]

"They also have a total of 6 times to take and pass these exams. Once in the 10th grade, twice in the 11th and 3 times in their senior year.

After taking it the first time, and if they fail it, they know where they need extra help. Also, a passing grade is 55% (in math, I believe) and 60% on the English portion."

Oh, there's no doubt that students pretty much need to be rocket scientists to pass a testing regime as rigorous as this. In fact, many CA high school graduates go on to pass remedial English and math courses in college. A non-trivial percentage of them have to repeat those remedial courses, but many of them eventually make it and then don't drop out of college until later.