Deirdre Newman
NEWPORT-MESA -- More than half of the freshmen in the school district
proved they have what it takes to pass the first-ever exit exams required
for graduation.
The results, released this week, show that 75% of the ninth-grade
students in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District passed the English
language arts portion and 55% passed the math section.
Those students have cleared the hurdle and needn't look back. For
those who didn't pass the first time, they have plenty more chances.
District officials will be meeting next week to discuss and analyze
the results and see what kind of intervention strategies and curriculum
adjustments are necessary, said Peggy Anatol, director of secondary
curriculum and assessment.
Students took the test in March, not knowing if it would count or be a
practice until the day before. For those who didn't pass, they will have
another chance this year, three more chances their junior year and
another three chances their senior year. If that isn't enough, they will
have one more opportunity after they finish all their courses.
The 75% passing rate for language arts is especially impressive
because it contained questions that reflect both ninth- and 10th-grade
standards, Anatol said. Students had to get 60% correct to pass that
portion of the test.
The math questions include sixth- and seventh-grade standards, as well
as first-year algebra. The original cutoff for passing math was 60%, but
that was lowered to 55%.
Newport-Mesa students' average score was higher than both the county
and district averages.
School trustee Judith Franco said the test provides insight into what
the district can do to ensure that all students are capable of passing in
the future.
"As with most school districts, the feeling will be that we can do
better," Franco said. "This is the first time that anyone has seen the
test, and there were a lot of questions as to whether it would count."
On both sections, Latino students in the district scored lower than
other students. Anatol attributes this to complex language on both tests.
"On the reading [portion], the first two words are 'equatorial
Africa.' I watched a group of English-language learners trying to sound
out what 'equatorial' is. These are difficult words for second-language
leaners," Anatol said.
For this school year, students will have three days to take the test
instead of one.
* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)
574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .
BY THE NUMBERS
DISTRICT PASSING SCORES
English-Language Arts: 75%
Math: 55%
COUNTY PASSING SCORES
English-Language Arts: 71%
Math: 54%
STATE PASSING SCORES:
English-Language Arts: 64%
Math: 44%
SCHOOL PASSING SCORES:
CORONA DEL MAR:
English-Language Arts: 95%
Math: 84%
COSTA MESA HIGH SCHOOL
English-Language Arts: 67%
Math: 44%
ESTANCIA HIGH SCHOOL
English-Language Arts: 60%
Math: 30%
NEWPORT HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL
English-Language Arts: 79%
Math: 63%
