On the Good News Front...

DS#2 passed the California High School Exit Exam on his first try! I wasn't worried about him passing the math portion. I was worried about him passing the English part, specifically, the essay. Writing and spelling are not his strong suites.

And, as it turned out, his low scores were in writing strategies and he got a 2.5 out of 4 on his essay. But his reading comprehension is quite high, which is what carried him over the threshold.

The Exit Exam is, of course, being challenged in the Courts as being "unfair." Kids who have managed to attend school for four years and pass their classes (with a "D" being considered "passing") should get a diploma. Never mind if they can't read or write. Never mind that the standards for the Exit Exam are Middle School level math and 10th Grade English (since the students take the exam in 10th Grade, the English level might be even lower). And that they have five chances to pass. And they only have to retake the sections they don't pass the first time.

A high school diploma should mean something. Something more than just showing up for class for four years!