AUSD's Passing Rate on Exit Exam Remains Higher than County, State

The percentage of 10th graders in Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) who passed the high school exit exam remained fairly steady last year and continues to be higher than the passing rate of both the county and state, data released by the California Department of Education shows.

The California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) is comprised of two tests: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. The state requires students to pass the exam in order to graduate from high school; students take the tests for the first time in Grade 10.

Last March (2014):

· 92% of AUSD 10th graders who took the Math CAHSEE passed, as compared to 88 percent of the 10th graders in Alameda County and 85 percent in the state.

· 87% of AUSD 10th graders who took the ELA exam passed, as compared to 86 percent who passed in Alameda County and 84 percent in the state.

High School Scores

Across the district, the percentage of students passing the exam stayed the same at Alameda Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), increased at Alameda High School (AHS) and Island High School, and declined slightly at Encinal High School (EHS).

A full 100 percent of ASTI’s tenth graders passed the exit exam this year. “It feels good to have passed,” says Fernanda Castro, now a junior at the school. “ASTI made passing accessible because they didn’t scare us but made us feel like it was important and within our reach.”

Ninety-four percent of the AHS 10th graders who took the CAHSEE in 2014 passed, an increase from 2013. “Alameda High School is pleased to see an increase in the percentage of students passing the CAHSEE on their first try and is committed to assisting those students who may still need some support in order to pass,” said Robert Ithurburn, principal of AHS.

Seventy-eight percent of the EHS 10th graders passed the exams, a slight decrease from last year. “As a school we are continuing to look at ways to increase passage rates for all students, and we are proud of the work our students and teachers are doing to make this happen,” says EHS Principal Kirsten Zazo. “We are also proud of the fact that EHS increased its similar school scores and is now ranked a 10 out of 10 according to the CDE.”

Forty-three percent of 10th graders who took the exit exam at Island High School passed, also an increase from last year. “As a continuation high school, we serve students who are coping with many different kinds of challenges in their lives and are at risk for not graduating,” Island High Principal Ben Washofsky says. “I am very pleased that our students’ passing rate is rising, and I look forward to continuing to support our students in their quest for a high school diploma.”

The Scores in Context

Since 2012, the percentage point gap between student sub groups in AUSD has varied, with gaps sometimes widening and sometimes narrowing. Overall, CAHSEE achievement gaps among AUSD students are slightly higher than Alameda County averages in math but lower than county averages in English.

“Obviously we are excited about the many gains we see in CAHSEE passing rates across the district,” said Interim Superintendent Sean McPhetridge, “and we pay careful attention to these scores. But I also want to keep us all mindful and put these tests in context. Standardized testing is but one measure of the many achievements of our students, teachers, and schools on any given day. We are proud of all the different successes of all of our students and teachers and of the many great strides forward being made in all our schools”

CAHSEE results for AUSD are available via the California Department of Education website at http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest. To start, choose Level (District) and Subject (High School Exit Exam) and then click “submit.” On the next page choose 2013-14 and type in “Alameda.” You can then select “Alameda Unified,” “Demographic Analysis,” “March,” and “Grade 10” to access scores.

District staff will present more detailed analysis of all recent test results at forthcoming meetings of the Board of Education.

Upcoming Board of Education Meetings

November 18, 2014 - 6:30 pm

Alameda High School cafeteria

December 9, 2014 - 6:30 pm

City Hall

—Information submitted by Alameda Unified School District

Photo via Shutterstock.