| "> | | | | Most educators attribute the drop to the enactment |
| The high school graduation in California is now at the | | | | of a law requirement students to pass an exit exam |
| lowest it has been since 1996, according to numbers | | | | prior to graduation. Beginning with the class of 2006, |
| posted by the California Department of Education. | | | | every student planning to graduate from a high |
| Approximately 140,000 high school students, or one | | | | school in California must first pass the California High |
| third of the total population of seniors, failed to | | | | School Exit Examination (CAHSEE). A State Law |
| graduated. The pass rate is 67 percent, as compared | | | | enacted in 1999 authorized the implementation of the |
| to 71 percent the previous year. That 4 percentage | | | | test, its primary purpose being to improve the |
| point drop equals an additional 21,000 students who | | | | academic achievement of public school students. |
| did not walk down the aisle with a cap and gown. | | | | |