With state exit exams looming this year for the first time,
staff and administrators at San Andreas Continuation High School
say they are more focused than ever on making sure students are
prepared
– and will graduate,
Hollister – With state exit exams looming this year for the first time, staff and administrators at San Andreas Continuation High School say they are more focused than ever on making sure students are prepared – and will graduate,
The class of 2006 is the first to be required to pass both math and language arts exit exams in order to receive their high school diplomas. Some 78 juniors and seniors at San Andreas, many of who have fallen behind their peers in terms of credits, face tough challenges preparing for and passing the exit exams that they have not yet completed.
School officials say they are prepared to help students overcome these challenges.
“Every teacher you will find here at San Andreas has chosen to work in alternative education,” School Principal and Director Mike Sanchez said. “Their dedication is commendable and that is what is going to make a difference for our students.”
Sanchez, who heads four alternative schools in the county, is working closely with students, teachers and staff members to ensure every student at San Andreas understands what the CAHSEE is, and what they need to do in order to pass the exam and graduate. This year, for the first time ever, staff and administrators met with all seniors before school started to discuss the exit exam and make sure they understood the implications and requirements of the test, Sanchez said.
“The school-wide plan for success on the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) is to help each and every student be as prepared as possible to take this on,” Sanchez said.
Preparation efforts will include special CAHSEE classes for both math and language arts that the school has developed in order to teach students exactly what they can expect on the tests.
These classes will give students the opportunity to go through CAHSEE study guides with teachers. Sanchez believes that having such an opportunity will help more students pass the exit exam and receive a high school diploma.
“We want them to know exactly what is on the test and make sure they are in the best possible position to pass the test,” Sanchez said.
In addition to the CAHSEE classes, teachers will also be meeting with individual students and their families to make sure they understand which specific skill sets they will need to focus on throughout the year in order to pass the exit exam, Sanchez said.
While there are no contingency plans for seniors who fail to pass the exit exam, Sanchez believes there will be two options.
One would be to give students a certificate of completion – instead of a diploma – stating that they have completed all of their high school course work. Sanchez said many schools around the state are consider this option.
The other would be to develop a special program for students that would allow them to continue their education and provide them with additional opportunities to pass the exit exam.
A final decision on the plight of such seniors will be made by the school with outside guidance from a group of administrators at other alternative education and continuation schools throughout the country, Sanchez said.
Lead teacher Barbara Murray is acutely aware of the challenges many seniors will have to face in order to pass the exam. Although students come to San Andreas because they are behind in terms of credits, Murray knows that these students face many additional obstacles.
For example, some students have chaotic home lives or struggle with other problems outside of the classroom.
“For some of our students this (school) is the most stable environment they have,” Murray said. “This becomes home for them.”
