Exit Exam: Subgroups Gain

SAN JOSE, CA – An SCCOE staff analysis of the 2007-2008 California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), released on Sept. 9, 2008, shows gains among certain subgroups.

The analysis compares scores by 10th graders from Santa Clara County with California 10th grade students across five subgroups. Some highlights:

English/Language Arts

• A higher percentage of 10th graders from Santa Clara County (84%) passed the CAHSEE than did 10th graders statewide (79%).
• The mean scale score of county 10th graders was higher than California 10th graders (SCC mean scale score = 389 vs. CA mean scale score = 379).
  

Mathematics

• A higher percentage of county10th graders (85%) passed the CAHSEE than did 10th graders statewide (78%).
• The mean scale score of county 10th graders was higher than California 10th graders (SCC mean scale score = 396 vs. CA mean scale score = 382).

Over the last four years, students’ passing rates and mean scale scores on the CAHSEE have remained relatively constant in both ELA and mathematics. However, Hispanic and African American 10^th graders have shown some gains in passing the CAHSEE in mathematics, improving 7-8 percentage points over the last four years. While an achievement gap of 20 to 30 points between Hispanic and African American subgroups and White and Asian subgroups persists, the gap appears to be closing somewhat in mathematics.

Date last updated: September 10, 2008