Freshman ready for new exit exam

Angelique Flores

High school freshmen are getting their first taste of the state’s new

exit exam.

Last spring, California law required that public high school students,

beginning with the class of 2004, be required to pass the High School

Exit Examination in order to graduate.

This year, freshmen have the option to take the test, but it will not

be required until next spring.

“We anticipate most everyone to participate for practice and to see

what it’s like,” said Dorothy Crutcher, Huntington Beach Union High

School’s director of pupil personnel.

The first of the two sections of the exam was given Wednesday at each

high school, and the next will be given Tuesday.

All students of the class of 2004 will be required to take the test

next year, and may take it until each section is passed. Students will

have three opportunities each year until they are seniors to take the

exam.

The test is designed improve achievement in high school and ensure

that high school graduates can demonstrate a competency in the state

standards for reading, writing and mathematics.

“The curriculum is already lined up to handle the test,” said Nancy

Steiner, spokeswoman for Ocean View High School.

The exam will be divided into two parts, an English language arts

section and a mathematics section. The English portion will cover reading

and writing in multiple-choice format with two essays. The mathematics

section consists of multiple choice questions addressing standards

through Algebra I.

Though this year’s tests will not have scores, it is not a practice

test. Students will receive feedback in the form of a report detailing

the students’ strengths and weaknesses.

“This is more valuable information than a score,” Crutcher said.

Since the test is new, next year’s results will determine the normal

score for the exam.

If students meet the standards this year, the test could count toward

a passing score once the norm scores are set.

“We don’t expect a ninth-grader to pass a senior exit exam,” Crutcher

said.