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SD High Schools Aren't Making the Grade

San Diego public high schools students are doing poorly on state standardized tests. That's based on a new analysis of high school performance in the district. KPBS Education Reporter Ana Tintocalis h

SD High Schools Aren't Making the Grade

San Diego public high schools students are doing poorly on state standardized tests. That's based on a new analysis of high school performance in the district. KPBS Education Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.   

The report finds San Diego high schools are worse academically compared to most high schools in California. In fact, more than 60-percent of local high schools are ranked at the bottom of the state's performance index.

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In addition to that, a large number of teenagers are dropping out all together.

Superintendent Terry Grier plans to focus on high school performance next school year. His top priority is to increase the district's graduation rate by two-and-a-half percent.

Grier: We got work to do but we got good people, we got good teachers and we really are going to work and focus on this area. And I believe next year, when we come back, we'll have a different report.

District officials say they're not exactly sure why teenagers are struggling academically. They believe it might be a combination of poor instruction and educators teaching topics that don't show up on the test.  

Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.