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Phillips:
This Crazy Mixed Up World
High
School Exit Exam Again Rattling Some Students’ Dreams
Robert Grant
Jr.’s seriously ill mother will not see him graduate with his
class next month because he failed the math portion of the state exit
exam by just a few points
By
Allison Jean Eaton
Bulletin Staff Writer
COMPTON – It’s
graduation season again, and a new round of senior high school students
is dealing with the news that they are being denied a diploma and excluded
from participating in graduation ceremonies because they did not pass
the state-mandated exit exam.
Such is the case for Robert Grant Jr., who in many respects has beaten
the odds to make it this far through his final year of high school.
The Compton High senior a few years back lost his two best friends
in a major car accident. Each day on his way to and from school, he
must cross through two different gang territories. According to his
older sister, LaTasha Kelly, Grant has been shot at and offered drugs.
Additionally, Grant’s mother is seriously ill with a severe case
of fibromyalgia and is in and out of the hospital. Due to the illness,
Grant moved with his mother to Mississippi during his sophomore year.
When he moved back his junior year, he was informed that he was far
behind on credits. Credits that he hustled to complete in addition
to his coursework to ensure he would graduate with his class.
“Through all of that he has persevered and held his head up high,” said
Kelly, 22, who is married and has a child of her own. “He has
put his heart and soul into this.”
But because he failed the mathematics portion of the California High
School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) by just five points, he is being barred
from graduation.
With her brother in tow, Kelly spoke before the school board last week
pleading with the district’s governing body to revisit its stance
on prohibiting students who complete all of their requirements but
do not pass the exam to participate in graduation ceremonies.
“
We’re not asking for the diploma, just to participate and walk,” Kelly
said.
Board President Fred Easter expressed dismay that Kelly and Grant chose
to speak on the matter before the board, saying that the board several
years back asserted its position.
“I’m somewhat surprised and disappointed,” he said. “I’m
surprised that there is still a gray area out there, because the board
has taken a position.”
Kelly told The Bulletin she has spoken at length with her brother’s
principal, Jesse Jones, as well as the interim principal at Dominguez
High. Both, she said, are in support of the district revamping its
policy to mirror that of surrounding districts.
At Los Angeles and Long Beach unifieds, seniors who fail the CAHSEE
are still permitted to walk with their class and receive “certificates
of completion” in place of a diploma. Other districts that follow
this practice include Anaheim, Orange and Santa Ana unifieds.
“It’s up to the individual board,” said Deputy District
Superintendent Robert Nero. “There are those districts that do
allow the students to participate and there are those that do not.”
Kelly and Grant offered up a petition with more than 100 signatures
from students, parents and district staff from all three high schools
who are in favor of allowing students who meet all requirements but
the exit exam to graduate.
The board’s response was the assertion of its position.
“Our position, and we’ve had this position for three or
four years, is that a student must have passed the high school exam.
They must
also pass the required graduation subjects,” said Easter.
Board member Mae Thomas said she does not support the position and
did not support it when the board took its vote several years ago.
Although the district has its policy, board member Micah Ali told The
Bulletin in a telephone interview that he personally would allow Grant
to walk.
“I do believe that the board has set a standard, and students
must adhere to that standard,” he said. But, “considering
that the young man’s mother is so ill, if I could wave a magic
wand, I would allow the gentlemen to walk – he’s just five
points shy of passing.”
Students have their first crack at the exam in 10th grade. If a student
does not pass one or both portions the first time around, he or she
has five additional chances to pass before graduation.
“My greatest concern is that students and parents should begin
preparing (for the CAHSEE) in the 10th grade,” said Ali. “My
concern is that a student waits until they get into the 12th grade” to
start focusing on passing the test.
“It says a whole lot about the educational system” when
a senior cannot pass an exam testing for eighth-grade-level skills
mastery,
he added.
Last year, 14 students districtwide did not receive diplomas or participate
in promotional exercises because they failed the exit exam. The year
prior, 16 did not graduate. This is despite the district’s spending
some $300,000 in grant monies to provide special courses before and
after school for students having trouble passing the test.
“Those courses provide rigorous instruction in the areas that
you need,” said
Ali. “It’s not as though he (Grant) did not have enough
chances” to pass the test.
Nero agrees.
“We offer a tremendous amount of tutorials for our students before,
after and during school hours,” said Nero. “If a student
is focused and took advantage of that, they should pass CAHSEE. And
remember, we’re talking about an eighth-grade level. Some students
don’t take it seriously.”
But Kelly said her brother attended the special courses and still failed.
He took a special CAHSEE course offered by Compton High, attended tutorials,
completed an online tutorial and even participated in a CAHSEE boot
camp.
Beginning with the graduating class of 2006, every high school senior
is required by the California Department of Education to pass the CAHSEE,
which aims to improve the academic performance of students in the areas
of reading, writing and mathematics.
About 9 percent of seniors statewide were in 2007 denied a diploma
because they could not pass the test. However, among English language
learners – who represent a majority of students in Compton – some
schools reported a passing rate of just 25 percent.
For students who do not pass, they are able to continue retaking the
test for up to two years, said Nero. The two-year limit is set by the
state, he said.
“For two years, we are required to notify the students who did
not pass that they can come back and get support and retake the test,” Nero
said.
Two weeks ago, Grant retook the test again. The only catch is that
his scores will not come back in time for graduation.
“The only question I have is, for the students who took it in
May, if they passed it – I know the test results don’t
come back until July – but if they passed it and they miss their
graduation, to not be able to walk with their class – you can’t
get that back,” said his sister Kelly. “These students
go through 12 years of school. Graduation is a symbolic thing.”
“I understand what you’re saying,” Easter told Kelly. “But
at some point we have to set a standard.”
Kelly told The Bulletin the following day during a telephone interview
that she was offended by the board’s response, especially Easter’s
saying that he was “disappointed” that she and her brother
had come on the recommendation of district staff.
“How rude,” she said. “If some parent comes up here – the
parents or staff or anyone – they are elected officials and they
should be willing to hear our concerns. They’re still not giving
a legitimate answer. They’re just beating around the bush. Why
are they so unwilling to reconsider their position?”
Joyce Kelly (no relation), an active community member who was also
at the meeting, echoed Grant’s sister’s sentiments.
“He (Easter) told those young people they should not have come
to the board with their concern,” she said in an e-mail. “Well,
not in those exact words, but who is he to deny them a chance for answers? He
forgot he is elected. He forgot he works for them. How can one
consider ‘rebirthing’ a city when one neglects to
consider the youth?”
Superintended Kaye E. Burnside Ed.D. made a heartfelt plea during the
meeting urging Grant to see the semester out after Kelly mentioned
that Grant was so disappointed that he initially wanted to drop out.
“My heart is kind of pulled at the thought that you might quit,” she
said. “Son, this is a moment in your life. And please, do not
quit. No one is going to ask you later on… did you graduate in
June or did you make it in July or August? They are not going to ask
you, and it’s not going to matter.
“Right now, it’s not about this moment right here, it’s
about your future,” continued Burnside. “I know that you
want to be there with the kids you’ve gone to school with, but
I’m asking you, from my heart to your heart, feel what you’re
going to feel – and it’s gonna hurt to not be there – but
please, don’t quit.”
Nero estimates Grant is among 14 or 15 seniors who this year will not
graduate; the exact number is still unknown. This is out of about 750
students who will graduate, he said.
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