We’re glad to see that even though the state shelved the high
school exit exam until 2006 Gilroy Unified School District
officials have kept the test front and center for its high school
students.
We’re glad to see that even though the state shelved the high school exit exam until 2006 Gilroy Unified School District officials have kept the test front and center for its high school students.
Gilroy High School juniors and seniors labored for years to pass the test and did so under the threat of not graduating if they failed either the math or English portion. When the state board of education chickened out on keeping passing grades on both portions as a graduation requirement, the motivation for students to take the test seriously could have evaporated.
Instead, GUSD and GHS officials want to award certificates of accomplishment to those students who pass the test, and are looking into ways to make that certificate a part of students’ transcripts. We hope they are successful in that endeavor.
The decision to continue to administer the test serves another important purpose – it keeps the importance of passing the test a big part of the academic culture at Gilroy High. And it sends an important message about academic progress and measuring success through testing.
Administering and taking the test will remind students and teachers alike that despite the delay, the test will be a requirement for a diploma for members of the class of 2006.
By law, the state board cannot postpone the test another time, so 2006 is set in stone,” Jacki Horejs, GHS assistant superintendent of educational services, told reporter Lori Stuenkel.
It’s a wise decision to keep passing the high school exit exam an important goal for students and teachers at Gilroy High School.
Another benefit of emphasizing passage of the high school exit exam is improved evaluations of Gilroy High School’s performance. Students’ scores on the exam are part of the evaluation of the Adequate Yearly Progress report.
Continuing to administer the exit exam is a wise decision all around – kudos to GUSD administrators for continuing to make improving academic excellence and fostering academic performance high priorities at Gilroy High School.
