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San Mateo County, CA | November 7, 2006 Election |
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Keep the high school exit examBy Rod HsiaoCandidate for Trustee; San Mateo County Board of Education; Trustee Area 4 |
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Courts continue to debate whether high school seniors who do not pass the California High School Exit Exam should be allowed to graduate.12 years of school, 1 test, 6 tries─shouldn't every child in our school system be able to pass the high school exit exam? My response is "Yes!" This test (the California High School Exit Exam) only tests students on 10th grade English and 8th grade math. If we fail to equip students with this basic level of knowledge and skills, we will be passing along a problem to college teachers, employers who must provide remedial education to their employees, and possibly our welfare system. We cannot send students out into the world poorly equipped to compete in the job market or unable to make smart and informed life decisions on health care, starting a family, personal finances, and retirement, among others. Without these basic skills, we diminish the potential quality of life for our children and future generations. The truth is, the exam is only one hurdle for high school seniors to graduate. Only 5% of seniors do not receive a diploma solely because of their inability to pass the exit exam. The vast majority who did not receive a diploma failed to complete other academic requirements to earn the degree. So I support additional funding for remedial classes to provide at-risk students and English Language Learners the help they need to succeed. |
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