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The Sun

September 3, 2009

Educators unhappy that students with disabilities no longer must pass exit exam

By Canan Tasci

Educators are calling the agreement to suspend the high school exit exam as a graduation requirement for students with disabilities a disservice to the students' education.

"This action represents an irresponsible and shortsighted shift in education policy that threatens to shortchange the quality of education for our students with disabilities," said Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of public instruction.

An agreement between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature during July's budget negotiations suspended the California High School Exit Exam as a graduation requirement for eligible students with disabilities beginning this school year.

Students with disabilities who have individualized education plans that indicate they are on the diploma track and have satisfied any other requirements will not be required to pass the exam in the 10th grade as a graduation requirement.

A student with a disability who failed the CAHSEE in 10th grade will not be required to pass the test.

However, every student, disabled or not, will still be required to take the exam for federal reporting purposes in the 10th grade for the No Child Left Behind Act program.

Jeff Ellingsen, Chaffey Joint Union High School District's director of research/assessment, said not requiring students with disabilities to pass the exam lowers standards for high schoolers.

"Regardless of how you feel about the CAHSEE, pros or cons, it has forced us to look at individual student achievement, and that's a good thing. We should be doing that," he said.

"It has helped students and teachers and we have had students taking it and passing it."

The purpose of the CAHSEE is to improve student achievement in high school as well as help ensure students who graduate can demonstrate grade-level competency in reading, writing and mathematics.

California public school students must satisfy the exit-exam requirement, as well as all other state and local requirements, in order to receive a high school diploma.

Most students take the exit exam for the first time in 10th grade. Those students who do not pass all or part of the exam can take the test again in their junior and senior years.

Students with disabilities have been making improvements in 2008-09 CAHSEE scores, which were released Wednesday.

In San Bernardino County, 31 percent of 10th grade students with disabilities passed the math portion of the test, up 5 percentage points from 2007, while 30 percent passed English, up 4 percentage points.

In Los Angeles County, 36 percent of students passed the math portion of the test, up 9 points from 2007, while 35 percent passed English, up 5 points.

Statewide figures show 38 percent of students passed the math portion of the test, up 6 points from 2007, while 37 percent passed English, up 4 points.

Eliminating the requirement for students with disabilities who are on a diploma track does nothing to help prepare them for success after high school, O'Connell said.

"Employers will be less likely to hire these students because their diploma will just be a certification of seat time," he said.

The new requirement for students with disabilities may be good news to some, but not to others, said Jim Coombs, executive director of educational services for Claremont Unified School District.

"There are some students that by not taking the exam it is lowering the standards and that's not good. But for others it isn't lowering the standards, and that's just looking at it realistically.

"It's hard to say one size fits all in this situation, because there are some kids that just don't have the genetics to take the test, every kid is significantly different."

The suspension of the state requirement for students with disabilities will remain in effect until the state Board of Education determines that a potential alternative is not feasible and/or that an alternative means are implemented.

O'Connell has formed an advisory committee to examine alternative options for students with disabilities.

"When given the appropriate support, students with disabilities who are on a diploma track can meet the CAHSEE challenge, which will better prepare these students for meaningful employment and higher education," he said.