Effectiveness of High School Exit Exams

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses lawsuits and the effectiveness of high school exit exams. The paper specifically addresses the problem of the California High School where the student drop out rate is high. The paper highlights lawsuits by students for varying reasons, that resulted in the implementation of the California High School Exit Exams (CAHSEE). The paper concludes with suggestions and ideas to effectively deal with the problem.

Outline:
Introduction
CAHSEE
Outcomes
Lawsuits
Discussion

From the Paper:

"The California High School Exit Exam is one of many state-specific educational schemes given impetus by the No Child Left behind Act (NCLB), which was enacted by the national legislature in 2001 to reduce the dropout rates and narrow the perceived achievement gap among high school students all over the US. A priority concern of NCLB is the increasing number of special education students who lag behind in academic achievement because of physical and cultural handicaps. Students with physical disabilities and those with ethnic roots, that altogether comprise 35 percent of the public high school population in California (Greene & Winters, 2004), have the highest dropout rate and the lowest ranking in academic achievement and expectations because of poverty and lack of language skills. The NCLB mandated the adoption of testing schemes to ensure that the public school system benefits all students and non-performing public schools improve their instruction. CAHSEE was California's response to the measure, which has similarity in content to other schemes established in about half of the American states. There are a dozen other smaller programs, including the school choice initiative and the voucher-and-charter school scheme in which students are allowed to leave public schools for better performing private ones, with appropriate assistance (Forster, 2006). In all, the common goal is to forge a 100 percent passing rate for all public high school students so no one is deprived of the opportunity to pursue a college degree. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abramson, M. (2007). "Local Exit Exam Pass Rates Mixed." Palo Alto Daily News; 6 July 2007.
• Forster, G. (2006). "Donkey in Disguise." Center on Education Policy, Vol. 6, N0. 3.
• Garcia, E.E. (1991). "The Education of Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students." Effective Instructional Practices, University of California.
• Greene, J.P. & Winters, M.A. (2004). "It's Elementary." National Review Online, at: http://www.nationalreview.com/
• Hernandez, M. (2007). "Most County Seniors Pass Exit Exam." Venture County Star, 18 June 2007.

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