Report card

A trio of “Learn to Surf” workshops will be offered as part of 2001

summer classes presented by the City Gym & Pool.

Children ages 10 and older, will learn the basic techniques to surfing

and will enjoy one of Surf City’s best resources -- the beach.

This beginning surf class stresses beach safety and fun, while

attendees learn the basics of paddling, catching and riding waves.

Students who enroll in the class must be able to swim and equipment is

provided for use during the class sessions.

“All of our staff for this class are Huntington Beach city

lifeguards,” said Robert Kinsler, public information specialist for the

city. “They are excellent teachers, and students will be under constant

adult supervision in a safe, [and] warm atmosphere.”

The three sessions of “Learn to Surf” will be held Saturdays and

Sundays, Aug. 18 through Sept. 23.

The classes will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. each day, at the south side

of the Huntington Beach Pier.

The fee to take the “Learn to Surf” workshop is $100 for a

three-session workshop, which includes registration and a 10% discount on

products purchased at Huntington Surf & Sport.

For more information, call the City Gym & Pool at (714) 960-8884.

Earth uncovered in classes for youths

Children ages 7-14 can enroll in a one day “Young Geologist” workshop

being offered at Edison Community Center on July 28.

Youngsters will learn about the development of the earth’s crust and

how minerals, crystals, rocks and solids form.

They also will learn how to identify specimens and make mineral

collections, as well as discover crystals and grow their own. Those

taking the class are encouraged to arrive early to see display samples.

The fee -- which includes registration and a material fee -- is $33.

Children are encouraged to bring a snack with them to class.

Edison Community Center is at 21377 Magnolia Ave.

For more information, call the center at (714) 960-8870.

Exit exam is making progress

An independent evaluation of the California High School Exit Exam has

found that “noteworthy” and “good” progress has been made in the

development of the test overall, as well as in the state’s efforts to

provide students with the opportunity to learn the material on the exam.

Beginning with the class of 2004, California students must pass the

exit exam - in addition to meeting other criteria - to receive a high

school diploma.

Results of the “Preliminary Year 2 Evaluation Report” recently

presented to the State Board of Education found “no significant problems”

with the first run of the exit exam, which was given this past spring on

a voluntary basis to approximately 80 percent of freshmen who enrolled in

California high schools.

An executive summary of the report by the Human Resources Research

Organization said that it was “too soon to tell whether there will be

significant problems” in getting members of the class of 2004 ready to

pass the exit exam.

Despite the concern, the report recommended that the Legislature and

the SBE keep the current testing timeline for now.

“The findings and recommendations in the HumRRO evaluation underscore

the need for the Legislature to approve Gov. Davis’ proposal for a $200

million program to help the state’s lowest-performing schools to improve

instruction,” said SBE President Reed Hastings.

Hastings also said the report bolsters arguments for passage of AB

1609, by Assemblyman Thomas Calderon, D-Montebello, which would set the

10th grade as the testing year for the high school exit exam, beginning

with the 2001-2002 school year. Each pupil would take the exit exam in

the tenth grade and would continue to have multiple chances to pass the

exam.