Local high school exit exam scores hold steady
| Wednesday, Sep 02 2009 11:53 AM
Last Updated Wednesday, Sep 02 2009 06:45 PM
GRADE 10 EXIT EXAM PASS RATES (English)
Arvin High: 65 percent
Bakersfield High: 80 percent
Centennial High: 81 percent
East Bakersfield High: 70 percent
Foothill High: 69 percent
Frontier High: 90 percent
Golden Valley High: 74 percent
Highland: High 77 percent
Independence High: 89 percent
Kern Valley High: 86 percent
Liberty High: 90 percent
Mira Monte High: 66 percent
North High: 76 percent
Ridgeview High: 79 percent
Shafter High: 71 percent
South High: 69 percent
Stockdale High: 93 percent
West High: 74 percent
GRADE 10 EXIT EXAM PASS RATES (Math)
Arvin High: 68 percent
Bakersfield High: 82 percent
Centennial High: 84 percent
East Bakersfield High: 74 percent
Foothill High: 71 percent
Frontier High: 89 percent
Golden Valley High: 78 percent
Highland High: 77 percent
Independence High: 86 percent
Kern Valley High: 80 percent
Liberty High: 90 percent
Mira Monte High: 70 percent
North High: 74 percent
Ridgeview High: 77 percent
Shafter High: 73 percent
South High: 73 percent
Stockdale High: 92 percent
West High: 73 percent
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The gains have been small but steady.
The number of sophomores in the Kern High School District who passed the math portion of the high school exit exam last school year rose slightly from the year before while the number who passed the English part held even, according to reports released Wednesday.
Classes are different from year to year so it’s difficult to compare them directly, but the five-year upward trend in district scores since 2004 has been a good sign, said Scott Cole, director of research and planning.
In 2004, 68 percent of all district sophomores were proficient on the English section, and 65 percent passed math.
By last March, scores had risen by about 10 percentage points: 78 percent of sophomores passed the math section, and 77 percent the English section.
KHSD lags a couple points behind the state pass rates for math (80 percent), and English (79 percent). KHSD schools are about two percentage points ahead of Kern County’s averages.
Cole noted that 12 high schools saw improved passage rates in one or both of the tests. Four others were consistent or went down.
With data in hand, schools will now focus on specific students who need extra classes in English and math.
“We're a little behind in some areas, such as special ed, and some of our English language students, who typically trail the state averages,” Cole said.
The California high school exit exam, or CAHSEE, tests competency in English and math standards at the 10th-grade level.
All students must pass the test to graduate from high school.
After their first try in 10th grade, students get five more chances over the next two years to pass.
Students who don’t pass their first try are carefully tracked by the district and often take CAHSEE remediation courses to help them pass, said Katie Kleier, director of instruction and guidance.
Students who don’t pass after six tries are entitled to services for two additional years after high school, Kleier said.
Cole pointed to the district’s ongoing push to align its curriculum with state standards as one reason test scores have risen in recent years.
Another is due to formative assessments, or frequently administered classroom quizzes that test how well students are mastering a specific English or math skill.
The idea behind the tests, which will be used at every high school this year, Cole said, is for teachers to adjust their teaching strategies or intervene with specific students so they fully master the curriculum standard before moving on.
A California education code change this summer exempts disabled students who are disabled and have an individualized education program from the CAHSEE test.
