Exit exams: It’s time to wise up

Re “Exit Exam Comes Down Hard on the Class of 2006,” March 19

For the last three years, these young people -- about to graduate high school -- have had up to six chances to pass 55% of the questions based on eighth-grade math and 60% of the questions on English at the ninth- and 10th-grade levels. And they still can’t do it? What a disgrace!

State Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) is right; we have opened a Pandora’s box. But that happened long ago when our educators, parents and politicians decided it was more prudent to graduate students rather than teach them and make them accountable for the education they have been given.

Bravo, state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, for forcing this issue, because it is obvious that our educators, parents and students can’t or won’t.

JUDY MCLAUGHLIN

Simi Valley

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As a high school senior, I agree with the need to take the exit exam to receive a diploma. Every year, a high school education seems to become less valuable. I want my high school education to mean something. The exam guarantees that a graduate has at least basic math and English skills. It is unfortunate that immigrants have difficulty passing the English portion of the exam, but students have been warned of this exam since entering high school and have had up to four years to prepare for it. Relaxing the standards for the lowest-performing students only hurts the hardworking teenagers who put forth the effort needed to pass the exam.

DAVID UMBERG

Chino Hills