The State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s decision not to
support an alternative assessment method to the California High
School Exit Exam for graduating seniors came as no surprise to
local teachers and administrators, most of whom support the
tests.
Hollister – The State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s decision not to support an alternative assessment method to the California High School Exit Exam for graduating seniors came as no surprise to local teachers and administrators, most of whom support the tests.
“After reviewing research and considering options for non-special education students, I have concluded that there is no practical alternative available that would ensure that all students awarded a high school diploma have mastered the subject areas tested by the exam and needed to compete in today’s global economy,” Superintendent Jack O’Connell said in a press release issued Friday.
The class of 2006 marks the first year that high school students have been expected to pass an English language arts and a math proficiency test, or they cannot receive a high school diploma. Critics from around the state have questioned the validity of the exams since their inception in 1999, often citing the disadvantages second language learners and students enrolled in special education programs face when taking the tests.
In response to these concerns, the office of the state superintendent examined possible alternatives to the exam, called CAHSEE, as well as options for students who are unable to pass the test by spring of their senior year in high school. The superintendent determined, however, that the CAHSEE is still the best way to ensure that all California high school graduates have mastered the same level of basic skills before they graduate.
“Unfortunately, it’s difficult to look at kids holistically at the statewide level,” said Dan Quinn, SBHS math teacher. “The most expedient way to do it is with a multiple-choice, standardized test. It’s not very friendly, but you can’t beat it in terms of efficiency.”
As of the fall semester, 19 SBHS students had yet to pass the English test, 25 had not passed the math test and 24 students hadn’t passed either test – for a total of 68 out of 597 students in the class of 2006 who are in jeopardy of being unable to graduate. At Anzar High School, however, only six students haven’t passed out of a senior class of approximately 65.
“We have very few students who haven’t passed,” said Jackie Munoz, Superintendent of the San Juan-Aromas School District. “It isn’t a big concern of ours… but we’re looking for new ways to support students who are new to the country and students in special education.”
O’Connell also announced Friday that he would be pushing litigation that would give students with disabilities an extra year to complete the CAHSEE exams after their 12th grade year. According to Dr. Jean Burns Slater, SBHS Superintendent, students enrolled in special education take the same exam as every other student in the state, but are allotted some accommodations – such as a longer period of time to take the test.
“A lot of times, it’s very difficult to hire a special education teacher who also specializes in science or English,” she said. “So those students don’t have access to the standards that others do.”
O’Connell recommended options for students who fail to complete the CAHSEE exams before graduation, such as summer school, a GED exam and CalGrants for students to take classes at the community college level to help them pass the exams.
In order to make such options more accessible to students, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger allotted an additional $4 billion on his proposed budget for the 2006-2007 fiscal year Tuesday, with increased funding for remedial classes and programs to help students pass the CAHSEE.
While San Benito High School can’t allot huge sums of money to help students pass the exam, administrators decided to offer students who have completed the necessary course work, but failed to pass the CAHSEE, a “Certificate of Completion.” Although it will not serve as a high school diploma, it does attest to their four years of high school education.
“I feel very strongly that students who participate for four years deserve recognition for their persistency with a certificate of completion,” said County Superintendent of Schools Tim Foley. “Sometimes tests are not necessarily related to knowledge.”
Other teachers believe enticing students with rewards in the form of scholarships will lead to better test scores, such as the $1,000 awards offered to California students who performed well on Standardized Testing and Reporting exams in the past.
“I have no problems with standardized testing or holding students accountable,” said SBHS English teacher Jane Gaylord. “But as it is, students regard the exit exams as a punitive thing. If the pot were sweetened a little bit, students will be motivated to perform better.”
Students in the class of 2006 have two more opportunities to pass the CAHSEE before graduation – first on Feb. 7 and 8, and then again on May 9 and 10. Students may also take the exams after completing an intensive remedial class over summer school.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
