June 28, 1999

Cirone Named to High School Exit Exam Panel

Bill Cirone, Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, was selected to the High School Exit Examination Standards Panel created by Senate Bill 2X.

The panel will help the superintendent of public instruction with the design and composition of the high school exit exam to ensure that the test is aligned with state standards. The bill requires the state superintendent, with the advice of the panel, to develop a high school exit exam in language arts and mathematics for the approval of the state board of education.

Starting with the 2003-2004 school year, and every year after, each student completing grade 12 will be required to complete the high school exit exam successfully as a condition for receiving a diploma.

"Creating an appropriate high school exit exam is a real challenge," said Cirone. "We want to make sure that a high school diploma is meaningful. It must be aligned to the state standards so that we measure what we are teaching. This has not been the case with several other past and present state testing efforts. The test must also be rigorous and fair. We must work together toward that important goal, and I invite input and ideas from all concerned. I look forward to contributing to this important effort."

The panel will begin meeting within six weeks.