The Sunnyvale Sun
News
Once-in-a-lifetime march OK'd for most 2006 seniors
But state-required exit exam must still be taken, passed
By ANNE WARD ERNST
For some students who have not passed California's high school exit exam, a consolation prize is available that will allow them to participate in graduation festivities this spring.
Beginning this year, high school seniors, are required to pass the California High School Exit Exam in language arts and mathematics in order to receive a diploma. As of March 2006, nearly 90 percent of the state's seniors had passed.
At least some of the remaining 10 percent will receive a "certificate of completion of course and credit requirements."
But it is not a diploma.
Basically, it is a ticket--or substitute admission--to graduation ceremonies and other activities related to graduating seniors.
It allows those students who have completed the necessary course and credit requirements, as well as meet the citizenship and residency requirements, to participate with their classmates as they walk across the stage to the tune of
"Pomp and Circumstance," even though they have not passed the state's exam. The difference is that those who have passed the exam will receive a diploma, and those who have failed will get a certificate. Beyond being permitted to participate in graduation exercises, the certificate is not proof of a high school education in California.
Fremont Union High School District and Santa Clara Unified District, for those Sunnyvale students who attend Wilcox High School, both adopted the policy and stress every opportunity is being afforded to those students who still need to pass the seven-hour test of basic English and math. The policy is in place for this school year only, officials said.
More chances
Students are allowed to take the test as many times as necessary to pass--up to one year beyond the fourth year of high school enrollment for non special education students, and special education students are allowed to try until the age of 22.
Passing an exam as well as completing course and credit requirements has not been tried before; the class of 2006 will be the first.
Fremont Union High School District is making plans for summer classes and possibly testing students again in July. First priority for those classes will be given to seniors who haven't passed.
The exam has been in place for almost six years, but a lawsuit and projected high failure rates protected those in the class of 2004 from having to pass the exam or relinquish a diploma.
How many affected?
At the beginning of the school year, an estimated 100,000 seniors state-wide still had not passed. The exam is a result of a 1999 state law passed to ensure that all California public school students are able to demonstrate grade-level competency in reading, writing and mathematics.
Math skills are tested through beginning algebra, and the exam is composed entirely of multiple-choice questions. English skills are tested through 10th-grade levels, using a mix of multiple choice questions in reading and writing sections. The reading portion includes a decoding section that covers vocabulary, informational reading and literary reading. The writing section includes writing strategies, applications and conventions, including a writing task on a specific topic or responding to a literary or informational passage.
Provisions are being made for those who qualify as English-as-a-second language learners.
For students who do not possess sufficient English language skills, the requirements of the exam may be deferred up to 24 calendar months from the date of the student's enrollment in the California public school system.
