Troubled West County Students Rank Low on High School Exit Exam Results

West County high school students identified as struggling passed the state high school exit exam at a lower rate than other school districts in Contra Costa County and across the state, according to a report released by the California Department of Education.

Among 33 West Contra Costa Unified School District students taking the exam in July 2011, only six, or 18 percent, passed the math portion, according to the report. That compared to a 51 percent passage rate in schools countywide and 27 percent statewide.

Of the 31 students taking the English-Language Arts portion, 19 percent passed. Across the county and state, 40 percent and 27 percent respectively, passed.

The report looked at outcomes for students who received tutoring or other intervention to prepare them for the exit exam. It concluded that such intervention has had minimal effect on helping students pass the test.

The figures, from July 2011, are the most recent data available. Data for the exams by individual West County high schools are not available on the education department's Website.

The exit exams are required for students to receive diplomas. They are given to students several times, begining in 10th grade.

The report, issued Tuesday, concluded that efforts to target students who failed the exam as sophomores "have helped only a small percentage of students go on to pass the graduation tests."

School districts are given state funds for programs such as tutoring to help those students pass the exam.

The report encouraged earlier intervention, pointing to research that shows data collected for students as early as fourth grade could "accurately identify students at risk of failing the high school exit exam."

The department's report is attached to this article.