El Cerrito High Students Underperform State Average on High School Exit Exam

Sophomores at El Cerrito High School passed the California High School Exit Exam at a lower rate than their counterparts across the state, according to test scores released last week. The passing rate last academic year for math was 75 percent. The passing rate for English/language arts was 79 percent. Both figures are down slightly from the 2010-11 academic year. 

Statewide, the percentage of students from the Class of 2012 meeting the CAHSEE graduation requirement increased slightly over last year to 95 percent, marking the sixth straight year of improving performance, according to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

“When 95 percent of California students are hitting the mark—despite the tremendous challenges we face and the work we still have to do—there’s an awful lot going right in our public schools,” Torlakson said in a prepared statement. “I congratulate the students who succeeded on this test, the teachers who provided invaluable instruction, and the parents who gave their support and encouragement.”

The CAHSEE is administered each year to ensure that students who graduate from public high schools demonstrate competency in reading, writing, and mathematics. Students who do not pass the CAHSEE in 10th grade have two opportunities in 11th grade and up to five opportunities in 12th grade to pass the exam.

This year's CAHSEE results were delayed because of  that led to photos of test materials being posted online.

On Friday, Aug. 31, Torlakson is set to release the 2012 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) results.