Molly Shore
While many high school students are enjoying a three-month respite
from studies, some are still in classrooms poring over English and
math.
They are 10th-graders attempting to pass the statewide California
High School Exit Exam that becomes mandatory for graduation in 2004,
when they will be seniors.
The three-day exam, given for the first time in the 2001-2002
school year, is based on ninth-grade California standards in
English/language arts and mathematics, said Mike Bertram, the
principal during summer school at Burbank and John Burroughs high
schools.
Students who have completed the ninth grade can take the exit
exam, which is administered three times a year -- in March, July and
November, with a makeup exam in May.
"By the time they're done with the ninth grade, they should know
enough to pass the test," said Bertram, who is assistant principal of
instruction at Burroughs High School during the regular school year.
If a student does not pass on the first try, he or she can enroll
in the summer school exit exam preparation class. After completing
this year's summer school program, the students will take the exam
starting July 23.
"These students are gaining the information so that it should not
be a problem to them," Bertram said.
Mike Krose teaches a summer school math class and said students
have plenty of chances to pass the exam.
"We also do a number of things to help students who don't pass it.
This course is one of them," he said.
The exam was established by a statewide panel of educators,
parents and the general public, all appointed by the State Board of
Education.
Jim Brown, co-chairman of the panel and Glendale's superintendent
of public schools, said that even though the test is based on ninth
grade standards, it is difficult.
"The ninth-grade standards today were the 12th-grade standards of
20 years ago," he said.
