90.4% pass high school exit exam

The biggest controversy in California now is the high school exit exam.
About 10% failed it, and it is mostly Hispanic students. To me it
illustrates the huge burden for the schools with the influx of
immigrants, both legal and illegal. It is amazing that they are doing
as well as they are.

El Castor...

In California the exam tests for 10th grade English and 8th grade math

Alvin Toda...

But that is the point of these exams. They are designed to test the

Jerry Okamura...

I like my standard better. I would prefer that the standard be much higher
than having enough knowledge to work at McDonald's.

Alvin Toda...

It becomes a problem when we graduate students who don't know enough
to work at McDonalds. If you've been watching the foster children
series on Nightline, then you see some kids who get in trouble and
drop out. A 18 year olds handwriting the other nite was like an
elementary student's. But if they don't get in trouble, then teachers
tend to pass them up and out at 18 even if they don't know enough to
work at McDonald's. At that point, because of the graduation
ceremonies and parties, there is tremendous pressure to get the kid
out of school and not try to make up for the lack of an education.
It creates a problem in our community colleges because remedial
education is very expensive, and standards become very difficult to
maintain.

Jerry Okamura...

And so, the "teachers" who did that failed in their basic responsiblity
haven't they?

Alvin Toda...

No. They haven't failed. You might say that the students didn't try at
all to fail so badly. These students need alternative programs. They
wont learn in the traditional classroom. Perhaps it's the recognition
of this that teachers will pass them. They don't want to see these
students show up in the same grade and fail again. Heard on the
Nightline show on foster children the other nite: the kid doesn't try
for fear of failing.

Jerry Okamura...

If you say so.

minimal learning needed. In Hawaii it seems a little easier. For
example, I think math is at a 6th grade level. Educators are
interested in the math knowledge needed to the extent that you could

Jerry Okamura...

I still think the real test is how ready are they to enter the workforce.

balance a checkbook.