Currently pending approval are new state-developed assessments that will be based on the standards. Legislation requires that the state board set performance levels based on the Stanford 9 and that local school boards adopt promotion and retention policies based on the performance levels. Students will need to achieve at a certain level in reading to advance to the third, fourth, and fifth grades, and in reading, language arts, and math to advance to the middle and high school levels. Beginning spring 2000, a new high school exit exam will be in place. The exams will be aligned with the standards and will be phased in beginning with English language arts.
Students can begin taking the exam in the ninth grade.
California has an advanced diploma system that high school students can choose to strive for. These exams are being realigned to reflect the high school standards. California requires and partially funds districts to provide intervention to students who are having difficulty meeting the reading, writing, and math standards. All rights reserved.