Burbank Unified improves high school exit exam scores

State education officials this week released data showing that 94% of high school sophomores in Burbank Unified last year passed the English test needed to graduate, while 93% passed the math portion of the test.

The figures represent the results of the California High School Exit Exam scores taken between July 2011 and May of this year and were significantly higher than those posted in much larger Los Angeles Unified, where 77% of sophomores who took the test passed math and 76% passed English.

Burbank students also scored above state averages. Across California, 84% of 10th-graders who took the math test passed, while 83% passed the English exam, according to the California Department of Education, which released the data Wednesday.

“Overall, we’re very pleased with our results,” said Sharon Cuseo, director of instruction and accountability at Burbank Unified.

When students don’t pass the exam on the first attempt, they enroll in support classes specific to math or English and remain in the class until they pass the test in either their junior or senior years of high school.

“Our teachers are excellent and really make sure the standards they see on their test are covered in their courses,” Cuseo said.

Of 1,330 sophomores who took the test, 1,233 passed the math portion. And of 1,324 students who took the English test, 1,243 passed.

The results represent a slight improvement for sophomores compared to last year, when 92% passed in math and 91% passed in English.

At Burbank High School, the pass rates were 94% for math and 95% for English.

At Burroughs High School, it was 92% for math and 93% for English.

The state Department of Education plans to release statewide standardized testing results that determine school rankings on Aug. 31.

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Twitter: @kellymcorrigan