Superintendent welcomes reinstatement of test
Morgan Hill – A total of 21 seniors in Morgan Hill Unified School District will not receive a high school diploma next week now that the state Supreme Court has restored the high stakes exit exam.
On May 24, California’s highest court reinstated the controversial test after an Alameda County Superior Court judge struck it down earlier last month. The test’s reinstatement means seven Central High School students and 14 Live Oak students will not receive diplomas because they have not passed the test’s basic math and English components.
Those seeking an injunction from the California High School Exit Exam argue the test is unfair because not all state public school students have the same access to educational opportunities.
“I support Jack O’Connell and his position on the high school exit exam and believe that if we continue to set high standards, our students will continue to achieve,” MHUSD Superintendent Alan Nishino said. “We have intervention programs including classroom time and online CAHSEE reviews to help them.”
Nishino, who has high academic expectations for all students, said the district’s goal is to have every student pass the CAHSEE in the tenth grade.
The district’s Class of 2006 has 32 students who have not passed the CAHSEE, a 96.3 percent passing rate, compared to the statewide passing rate is 90.4.
MHUSD Director of Curriculum and Assessment Pat Blanar said that of the 40 Central Continuation High School students who meet all other requirements, eight have not passed the two-part test first taken by most students in the 10th grade.
Of those, one is a special education student who will receive a diploma because of a waiver by the state for special education students this year, the first that students are required to pass the test to receive a diploma.
Three of those students have not passed the English-language arts portion of the test, while four of them have not passed the math portion.
Six of those eight students are English-language learners, Blanar said.
At Live Oak High, there are 528 students who have met all other graduation requirements, and 24 of those have not passed one or both portions of the CAHSEE. Ten of the 24 are special education students, so they will receive a diploma.
Blanar said the number of English-language learners of the Live Oak students was not yet available as the number fluctuates almost daily.
All students who had not passed the English-language and math portions of the test had another opportunity to take the test in May but the scores have not been released yet. Those who passed it then we’ll exchange their certificates of completion for diplomas, Blanar said.
The 21 students who are not receiving diplomas will participate in commencement ceremonies because they have met all other graduation requirements, and they will be given a certificate of completion.
Central Continuation High Commencement is June 15, and Live Oak High Commencement is June 16.
For students who did not pass in May, there will be another opportunity to take the test this summer.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@mo*************.com.
