High school exit exam scores up slightly

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 4/16/7 | Nanette Asimov

[SmithL]

Slightly more California high school seniors are buckling down this year than last year to pass the high school exit exam, which is required for a diploma.

So far, 390,697 students -- about 91 percent of this year's 428,000 seniors -- have passed the test of basic reading and math skills, state schools Superintendent Jack O'Connell announced Monday.

Last year at this time, 388,930 students -- about 89 percent of the 437,000 seniors in the Class of 2006 -- were successful.

It means that this year, 1,767 more seniors have put that graduation hurdle behind them than at the same time last year.

"This is good news," O'Connell said, noting that similar improvements were evident for every ethnic and economic group of students.

Pass rates for individual school districts will be reported later this summer, O'Connell said.

In San Francisco, however, 89.9 percent of the 4,119 students in the Class of 2007 passed the test as of February, up from 88.9 of Class of 2006 at this time last year.

Within the district, this year's pass rates ranged from 99.8 percent at Lowell High, to to 73 percent at Mission High.

All high school students have six chances to pass the test from 10th grade to graduation day, and unlimited chances after that.

[SmithL]

This year's Senior class has finally figured out that the lawyers and race-baiters aren't going to rescue them from the exit exam.

[Goldie Lurks]

In agreement with SmithL.
—
When the California Dept. of Education finally decides to stop pandering to every ethnic, special interest group and numerous other individuals (the Dems and liberals) then and only then will they achieve success.

[Inquisitive1]

Scores are up because the dumbed down the tests.

[upchuck]

Scores are up because the dumbed down the tests.

Hey, you stole my reply :)

[twhitak]

They must have started giving them credit for being able to write their name instead of just marking “X.”

[sergeantdave]

“...about 91 percent of this year’s 428,000 seniors — have passed the test of basic reading...”

How about speaking proficiency. When I stopped at a gas station north of Santa Rosa to buy a pop and bag of cashews, the clerk said: “Do you wanna sumpin elz?”

I said “What?”

He said: Annhying eelzzz frru?

I said “Huh?”

I felt like Dr. Livingstone meeting a long lost tribe in the jungle. I looked the native straight in the eyeball and said in slow English: I cannot understand you.

Finally another clerk stepped in and asked: Will there be anything else?

I said No, paid and left. Now I know that in Californiaeze “Annhying eelzzz frru?” means: Would you like to purchase some other item? Damn good thing I didn’t starve there.

[Inquisitive1]

And you’ve got my tag line!!! :)