El Dorado High School

1. El Dorado High School California High School Exit Exam: 2013 Results and Interpretations

2. The “CAHSEE” • Every sophomore at El Dorado High School is required to take the Exit Exam one time during their sophomore year. • If students pass the math and language arts sections the first time, they are exempted from having to take the Exit Exam again. If they fail one or both sections, they are given the opportunity their junior and senior years to re-take the test until they pass. • Students who have IEP accommodations can get waived from taking the Exit Exam; however, their counselors and support providers encourage them to try to take the test at least once.

3. 2013 EDHS Exit Exam, Mathematics: Brief Review • On November 6th, 2013, 34 11th and 12th graders were re-tested on the CAHSEE mathematics section • The highest score a student can receive on this section is 450 points. The mean score of this testing scenario was 358 points (students need a 350 to pass) • Of these 34 students… • 14 passed • 20 did not pass

4. Mathematics Pie Chart: Mean Scores of All Students Tested

5. Breakdown of Scores: Sample “Passed” • Students did not have to do consistently well across the board in mathematics. In the chart below, a passing student’s scores are represented. Note that not every category received a “high” score

6. Breakdown of Scores: Sample “Non-Passed” • The following score represents a student who did not pass the mathematics portion of the exam. One will note the scores are more consistent. However, when averaged, the overall score is not high enough to warrant a pass.

7. Interpretations of Math Results • Based on the average percentages of each category… • Students do most poorly on the Algebra 1 portion of the exam. Thus, teachers should spend more time focusing on how to strengthen this testing area.

8. 2013 EDHS Exit Exam, Language Arts: Brief Review • On November 6th, 2013, 32 11th and 12th graders were re-tested on the CAHSEE Language Arts section • The highest score a student can receive on this section is 450 points. The mean score of this testing scenario was 356 points (students need a 350 to pass) • Of these 32 students… • 17 passed • 15 did not pass

9. Language Arts Pie Chart: Mean Scores of All Students Tested

10. Breakdown of Scores: Sample “Passed” • Students did not have to do consistently well across the board in mathematics. • A passing student’s scores are represented. • Not every category received a “high” score

11. Breakdown of Scores: Sample “Non-Passed” • The following score represents a student who did not pass the language portion of the exam. • The scores are more consistent. • However, the overall score is not high enough to warrant a pass (despite the fact he earned a 100% in one category)

12. Interpretations of Language Arts Results • Based on the average percentages of each category… • Students do most poorly on the Writing Strategies portion of the exam. • Given the fact students do decently on writing conventions, but poorly on the essays themselves, it helps English teachers understand that students need more instruction on how to write.

13. Interpretations • El Dorado students need additional help in order to get ready to pass the Exit Exam. • Based on the results given, students need the most aid in developing their Algebra 1 skills and their writing skills. • Students also need help with reading comprehension, the second lowest scores on the language arts portion of the exam. Theoretically, if their reading comprehension increases, then it stands to reason they may also do better in their math portion as they will be able to break down the questions better.

14. School-Wide Suggestions • El Dorado High School has a strong teaching staff and an after-school recovery program that is currently optional for students. • I suggest the school institute a class for students who have not yet passed the exit exam. This class would focus on developing strength in all areas of the exit exam, but with more emphasis on reading comprehension, reading strategies, and algebra and its functions. • Consumable materials may also be purchased in order that students may prepare in their regular English and math classes. If the budget does not permit this additional expenditure, then it is suggested that at least teacher booklets are purchased and then copied for classroom use.

15. Classroom Suggestions • Teachers are encouraged to develop skills which would aid students in their exit exam preparation. These skills would, indeed, carry into their future courses, thus better equipping them for success. • Teachers are encouraged to collaborate on effective teaching and assessing strategies and routinely assign practice examinations in order to better prepare students for their testing scenarios. • Teachers should routinely instruct upon the elements of the CAHSEE, starting at the beginning of the year. This will ensure students have enough time to build a solid foundation in the tested skills.

16. Conclusion • El Dorado High School students are capable of performing at higher levels when taking the CAHSEE. In fact, most students pass the first time around (89% of students) as sophomores. However, not every student is able to do this at this time. • If these “target” students are given the additional help they require, they stand a better chance of passing this exam and thus graduating high school.