- More than half of the high school students who took the
state's high school graduation test this spring failed its math and English
sections, meaning they will have to retake the test or they won't receive
a high school diploma.
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- California students, beginning with the class of 2004,
must pass the California High School Exit Examination to graduate. Students
who don't pass will have seven chances to retake the test.
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- Local highlights are that 69 percent of Sacramento City
Unified district students passed the language portion of the test, but
45 percent passed the math portion. The El Dorado Union district posted
the highest scores in the region, with 78 percent of students passing the
language portion of the test and 70 percent passing the math portion.
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- Some educators say the high-stakes test will ensure that
students can demonstrate competency in state content standards for reading,
writing and math. But critics have argued that the test, given to 10th-graders,
unfairly hurts low-income and minority students because they don't have
access to the same educational resources as more affluent students.
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- Black and Hispanic students had the highest rate of failure
this year, with only 28 percent of black students and 30 percent of Hispanic
students passing. On the other hand, 70 percent of Asian students and 65
percent of white students passed the test.
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- The exam was created in 1999 as one of Gov. Gray Davis'
first education-improvement proposals. At least half the states in the
nation have a high school exit exam.
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- "Although a large percentage of our students perform
at or above state goals delineated by rigorous academic content standards,
today's results show there still are many students who need more assistance
to meet the (exam) requirements," said state Superintendent Delaine
Eastin.
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- For detailed test score results, go to http://cahsee.cde.ca.gov/reports.html
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- For more information on how regional schools performed,
read Tuesday's Bee.
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- -- Associated Press and Bee Metro Staff
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- http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/4609022p-5627259c.html
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