Demographics tell high school exit exam story Demographics tell high school exit exam story (August 25, 2004)

By David Boyce
Almanac Staff Writer

Test results for sophomores who took the state high school exit exam last spring broke clearly along demographic lines.

Of the students whose first language is not English or who receive government-subsidized lunches, fewer than half passed the test, which measures sixth- and seventh-grade math skills, and ninth- and 10th-grade English skills. Among all other students, most passed the exam.

Starting with the class of 2006, students must pass the test to receive a diploma. To pass, students must correctly answer 60 percent of the English-language questions and 55 percent of the math questions. Students are given six opportunities to pass the test, beginning in the sophomore year and including one chance after the senior year is over.

Local schools

In the Sequoia Union High School District overall and at both Menlo-Atherton and Woodside high schools, about half of sophomores receiving free or reduced-cost lunches passed tests of basic math and English-language skills, the state Department of Education reported.

Scores were lower still among students whose first language is not English: No more than 35 percent passed the English-language test at each high school. These students fared somewhat better on the math tests.

Among all other students, scores at both schools met or exceeded state averages.

"We need to address the (needs of the) students who are not doing well on this test," said Norman Estrada, the new principal at M-A.

He said he encourages kids and parents lacking English skills to read in their native language. "These are transferable skills," he said.

The math section of the exam -- using multiple-choice questions -- measures skills in algebra, geometry, statistics and mathematical reasoning. The English-language-arts section consists of multiple-choice questions and an essay question.

Local scores

At Woodside High, among sophomores not receiving free or reduced-cost lunches and not facing difficulties with the English language, 88 percent passed the English test and 86 percent passed the math test. At M-A, the corresponding scores were 87 percent and 85 percent.

Among sophomores receiving free or reduced-cost lunches, the pass rates were 54 percent for English and 56 percent for math at Woodside, and 40 percent and 51 percent at M-A.

Among students whose first language is not English, 30 percent passed the English test at Woodside and 35 percent at M-A. The math scores were better, with passing rates of 36 percent at Woodside and 51 percent at M-A.

East Palo Alto High

Of the two local charter high schools, only East Palo Alto High in Menlo Park had a sophomore class last year.

Of the sophomores not in the lunch program and not troubled with English-language difficulties -- 12 students of about 80 -- 50 percent passed the language-arts test and 33 percent passed the math.

Among the sophomores on federal assistance, the pass rates were 42 percent for the English test and 39 percent for the math. Twenty percent of students with English-language difficulties passed the English test and 29 percent passed the math test.

"We're improving (but) we've got our work cut out for us," said Principal Nicky Ramos-Beban. "The ball is definitely rolling and we're picking up speed every year."

The true test is how many kids go on to college, Ms. Ramos-Beban said. The school will graduate its first class of seniors next spring.

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