More of this year's entering high school seniors passed the exit exam at the beginning of the school year, however the number of sophomores passing after the first attempt remains constant.
California seniors are required to pass the California High School Exit Exam to receive a high school diploma. Students first have a chance to pass the two-part test during the sophomore year. The exam represents the student's understanding of eighth-grade math and 10th-grade English. Not passing one or both portions of the test means a student will need to take part in an class or get help after school until passing that part of the test.
Last year in San Mateo County, 84 percent of sophomores tested in math -- 5,554 students out of 6,586 students -- and 83 percent of sophomores tested in English -- 5,527 students out of 6,658 students -- passed the test on the first attempt, according to results released by the California Department of Education Thursday. These numbers show only a slight change from sophomores who were tested in the 2005-2006 school year with an 83 percent passage rate on both exams.
Despite the stagnant numbers, more sophomores in San Mateo County pass one portion of the test at first attempt than others in California. Last year 76 percent of sophomores tested in math and 77 percent of those tested in English were successful.
The exit exam is a two-part test of a student's understanding of eighth-grade math and 10th-grade English language arts. Once a student passes one portion of the test, he or she is able to focus on the other portion. For example, if the student passes English but not math, he or she would only retake the math portion.
Sophomores in the San Mateo Union High School District last year had the highest passing rate with 88 percent of those tested in math and 86 percent of students tested in English passing. The Jefferson Union High School District wasn't far behind with 85 percent of sophomores passing the math exam and 82 percent testing passing the English test.
Eighty two percent of sophomores in the Sequoia Union High School District passed the math test last year, and 80 percent passed the English test.
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Eighty one percent of sophomores in the South San Francisco Unified School District passed the math test last year, and 82 percent passed the English portion.
Each district offers help in math and English for students who have yet to pass that portion of the test.
Many San Mateo County seniors beginning their last year of high school already passed the test. Passing the exit exam does not guarantee a student will receive a diploma. Students must meet other requirements, such as passing classes and earning a certain number of credits, to graduate.
About 89 percent of current seniors in the South San Francisco Unified High District have passed both tests thus far, said Christine Baumgardner, the district's supervisor of assessment and research.
About 385 students out of the 1,915 student senior class at Sequoia Union High School District have yet to pass at least one portion of the exit exam, said Brandon Lee, the district's coordinator of research and evaluation.
Numbers for the seniors in the San Mateo Union High School District are yet to be official, said Jeanie Kwong, director of assessment and professional development.
Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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