Dump the California High School Exit Exam?

Of all the regressive proposals to deal with the current California financial meltdown, few can approach the inane cut put forward by the Democratic majority than the attempt to deep-six the mandatory high school exit exam. The savings would be minimal and the impact on K-12 education reform efforts would be huge.

Years of work and millions of dollars have been spent by both educators and State legislators to establish a credible benchmark to identify students worthy of receiving a high school diploma. Too often in the past students were "socially promoted" through school and given a diploma that meant little in terms of academic achievement to the student, the parents, the teacher, the school administrators, the college admissions officer or the prospective employer. While the High School Exit Exam is not perfect, it certainly sends a clear message to anyone interested that the student meets minimum proficiency in required subjects.

The Democrats are using the current financial crises to do the bidding of teacher unions that are not supportive of the Exit Exam. The excuse for many educators and some outspoken public (sometimes parents and sometimes other interest groups "speaking" for parents) is that the Exam leads to a "teaching to the test." So, what's wrong with that? If a certain body of knowledge is determined by the State Superintendent of Education through the State Department of Education to be required of high school graduates, it certainly is appropriate that students be given numerous opportunities to take a pass a test attesting to that ability to master that knowledge. To do less is to admit to the State setting the curriculum standards and the teachers giving their word that the standards were met. In a perfect world, that approach would suffice. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world and standards must be assessed in a more comprehensive way.

My position as an Fresno City College Education instructor, responsible for teaching students lower division teacher education courses as preparation for transfer to a four-year institution and eventually a California K-12 teaching credential, has clearly shown me that the Exit Exam does not necessarily guarantee college-ready students. Many of my students have recently graduated from high school, but some have managed to still slip through high school and are now simply too lazy to put in the necessary time and effort to do well in college. I do, however, make it clear to my students what I expect from a high school graduate, and it certainly is what the Exit Exam requires.

I am surprised and disappointed to have not heard any reaction to the proposal to drop the exam from our local school superintendents, school boards or the County Offices of Education . I expect leadership, not resignation from them as this issue is debated and eventually decided.

Coming Soon. . .

1). How the City of Fresno treated the SPCA in this year's budget.
2). Independents rule!

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