Common Folk Using Common Sense

Trackbacked at Don Surber:

Beginning with the Class of 2006, students must pass the California graduation exam to receive a diploma. The exam has two parts: Math and English.

Students begin taking the exit exams’ two tests in the sophomore year. In the Math test Students must demonstrate proficiency at a 9th-grade level. In the English test Students must demonstrate proficiency at a 10th-grade level. The test given to these 12th graders do not require any proficiency at a 12th-grade level. Those who fail either the math or English portion will not graduate, and that number of those that will not pass both these tests are estimated at 100,000 statewide.

Liliana Valenzuela, who moved to Richmond from Mexico in 2002 passed the math portion of the high stakes test but has failed the English section three times. “I think this exam is unfair,” said Valenzuela, who hopes to go to college and become a nurse. “I really want to wear my cap and gown,” she said. “I don’t know what to do to make my dreams come true.”

What’s unfair is that you are demanding to enter the adult world without being able to read at a 10th-grade level. You are more concerned about getting a piece of paper than you are of getting the education and skills needed to be considered a high school graduate. That’s like saying a little child that can’t swim ought to be allowed to play in the deep end of the swimming pool.

Liliana, do you know that there is a Cliffs Notes “California High School Exit Exam” cheat aid to passing the darn exam that “offers full-length practice exams that simulate the real tests; proven test-taking strategies to increase your chances at doing well; and thorough review exercises to help fill in any knowledge gaps”?

She, and two others, joined a class-action lawsuit filed in San Francisco Superior Court against the state. The suit names two other Richmond High seniors, Mayra Ibanez and Mayela Barragan, as well as students from Hayward, Newark, Oakland, Fair Oaks and Rialto.

Arturo Gonzalez is representing parents and students who are suing the state of California to put off — once again — the year when California students must pass an exit exam in order to receive a high-school diploma — as mandated by a 1999 law. The lawyer’s argument is that it is unfair to not grant a diploma to a student who has completed 13 years of school and repeatedly received passing grades in math, English and other classes, because the student cannot pass “one test.” He believes he is protecting minority students and immigrants, but he is protecting their right to graduate without 9th-grade-math skills or the ability to read what a sophomore should be able to read.

But the problem is that it is really not fair to graduate a high-school senior who can’t handle basic math and English. The whole point of the exit exam was to make sure that students who go to low-performing schools get, at the very least, a basic education. If Liliana Valenzuela, no matter what her GPA might be, or no matter how many years she’s spend in school, cannot pass a proficiency of English at a 10th-grade level then there is no way she needs to recognized by the state of California as a high school graduate. No diploma. Sorry.

Jack O’Connell, California Superintendent of Public Instruction, stated that he won’t entertain any changes to the system which would diminish the value of a high school diploma. It is most surprising that an employee of one of the most liberal states in the US would actually have a backbone strong enough to stand against those that want to reward failure. As O’Connell sees it if you fail the test, “It simply means your education is not complete.” You don’t have the minimum skills to succeed in this economy. And isn’t a high school education supposed to do that very thing, to give you the skills necessary to survive in the adult world? How can they survive a job interview? Or athletic competition? How do they expect to survive college, the military, or the business world? “Failure to pass the exam simply means their basic education is not yet complete,” O’Connell said.

Supporters of the exit exam, including business leaders and education advocates, say the test is so basic that relaxing the requirement would harm students in the long run.

The exit exam is not a one-time sink-or-swim test. Students begin taking the exit exams’ two tests in the sophomore year. If they fail, they can retake one or both tests twice in the junior year, then three times in the senior year. And students need to score at least 55 percent in math – which is multiple choice, so students only have to figure out which one of four answers is correct – and at least 60 percent in English language arts. A 55% and a 60% is all it takes – neither of which should even be passing scores!

Those who fail can take a summer-school course or attend an extra year of school, or take the test without going to class for an unlimited number of tries. They can enroll in an additional year of high school or independent study. School districts can elect to grant certificates of completion for students who pass other school requirements, but fail the test. They can enroll in a charter school. Students who flunk the test also can go for a GED or earn a high-school diploma through an adult-education program. They can attend a community college that has a diploma completion program.

As you can see even if you fail the test multiple times there are still good options for continuing your education without simply handing out diplomas to anyone that wants one. Diplomas require both work and achievement, both of which appear severaly lacking in the California school system. This could be why California is a majority Liberal state – there is no demand for work or achievement.

No work. No achievement. No responsibility. Simply have the government give to the people that which they require. Welcome to Socialism.

Sure, it may be harsh to not grant a full diploma to students who have completed their coursework. It also is harsh to allow students to enter adulthood unable to read instructions on appliances or without understanding what it means when a sale price is 25% off. But then I’m a Conservative who believes in personal reqponsibility, and not one that simply wants to coddle everyone from gradle to grave.

California, graduation, exam, diploma

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