More Than 80% of 9th-Graders Take High School Exit Exam
More than 80% of California ninth-graders took the high school exit exam when it was given for the first time last month.
In a letter to superintendents, Delaine Eastin, state superintendent of public instruction, congratulated districts on “such fine participation” in this year’s voluntary exam.
About 395,000 ninth-graders, out of 484,000, took the reading and writing portion of the test. The California Department of Education expects that even more students took the mathematics test.
The test contractor is in the process of revamping student score reports. The changes, prompted by last-minute political wrangling in Sacramento, will delay the release of those scores until mid-August.
Recommended passing scores for the test are to be decided in May by a group of teachers, administrators, parents and others. Eastin said she would present her recommendation for a passing score to the state Board of Education in June.
Beginning with this year’s freshmen, students in California public schools will be required to pass the test to receive a diploma. Students who do not pass it this year must take it as sophomores.
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