Exit Exam Prompts High Schools to Step Up

Louisiana requires that high school students take an exit exam but everyone isn`t passing with flying colors. Earlier this year, 15% of Caddo Parish and 12% of Bossier Parish failed the English section of the exam. Woodlawn High School educators are being proactive so test scores will rise. "We had tutorials after school, we tried it on Saturday but the attendance wasn`t good after school and Saturday," commented Chenita Ary McDonald, Assistant Principal of Instruction Woodlawn High School. Now the class is offered during the regular school day and so far the students have been receptive to the extra help. The four station rotation allows them to work at their own pace and level and ask questions when needed. Fair Park High School is getting to kick off a similar program which will stress English. "Hopefully they are able to comprehend and read the passages with the question that follow and do better on those types of things, that they comprehend it better, they can read it better," admitted Bruce Daigle, Principal of Fair Park High School. Educators admit, many times their students end up taking the pre-graduation exams several times before passing but they know the test does need to be challenging. "I think the rigor of the academic program is a good thing, but what happens is some of the student in special education population, they have problems trying to meet those challenges with the bar so high," explained McDonald. The progress may seem slow, but students are making strides. Many say, they no longer feel as nervous about the exam and have more confidence in their abilities.