Local High Schools Improve on Exit Exam

Sophomores at Gilroy's two biggest high schools have either met or exceeded the state-average California High School Exit Exam scores, withoutperforming in math and English-language arts.

In Gilroy, the majority of students are tested on the two subjects in March of their sophomore year (10th grade), with opportunities to retake the exam twice in the 11th grade and up to five times as seniors, if needed, according to the California Department of Education.

The California DOE recently released related to the California High School Exit Exam, or CAHSEE.

Christopher High sophomores came within two points of tying Santa Clara County's March pass percentage average in math last year, scoring an 87 percent, and surpassed the county's average that month in English/language arts by one point with a score of 89 percent.

Despite its admirable scores, Christopher High's math pass percentage went down by two percent in this March when compared with 2010 scores. 

Gilroy High School sophomores improved in both subjects this year, beating 2010 scores by two percentage points in math and one point in English, recording an 84 percent and 82 percent, respectively.  

"It is heartening to see that our students continue to learn and achieve despite the painful toll that budget cuts are taking on our schools," said California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. "The results of this year’s exit examination—and the progress schools are making to close the achievement gap—are yet another sign of the remarkable commitment that teachers, school employees and administrators have to the students of California."

Gilroy's remaining high schools, Dr. T.J. Owens Early College Academy and , each enroll a significantly smaller number of students. With a specific focus, each school represents data that has a disproportional effect on the district's average.

Results from the state DOE show 100 percent of students at T.J. Owens passing both math and English. At Mt. Madonna, 40 percent of students passed the math portion, and 52 percent passed in English.

Here's how Gilroy's high school sophomores have scored on the CAHSEE in recent years.

Christopher High

87%

(311 of 356 pass)

89%

(320 of 358 pass)

89%

(247of 278 pass)

86%

(241 of 279 pass)

*Numbers reflect sophomore scores only

Gilroy High

84%

(293 of 348 pass)

82%

(292 of 355 pass)

82%

(352 of 429 pass)

81%

(346 of 428 pass)

81%

(495 of 608 pass)

81%

(482 of 598 pass)

84%

(540 of 646 pass)

82%

(530 of 644 pass)

*Numbers reflect sophomore scores only

For a student to pass the math portion of the CAHSEE, he or she must score "approximately 55 percent of items correct" and "approximately 60 percent of items correct" to pass the ELA portion of the exam, according to state guidelines.