A new report finds the number of high school dropouts in California spiked last year, and that the state's exit exam played a big role. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Last year was the first year high school seniors had to pass the high school exit exam in order to graduate. As a result, the study shows California's high school graduate rate fell about four percent. Researchers say roughly 24,000 high school seniors dropped out last year. That compares to 10,000 seniors four years ago. The lowest scores on the test were in schools with large numbers of minority and poor students. Researchers say that finding underscores a persistent achievement gap.
State school superintendent Jack O'Connell acknowledged the dropout rate is a serious concern, but he believes the state's dropout rate is imprecise. He says researchers don't include students who decide to repeat their senior year and retake the exit exam or who attended a community college to earn their GED.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
