Ninety-three percent of seniors in the class of 2007 have passed the exit exam-- that’s as of May this year.   That’s about two-percent more than those in the class of 2006 at the same point in time.  State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell noted strides made by Latino and African American students.  He says the rate of improvement is about what he expected—but more work must be done.

 “Several of our fastest growing sub-groups, students who are Latino, students here learning the English language and students from low socio- economic backgrounds these students continue to lag behind their peers…” 

Pass rates also improved among those taking the test for the first time in the tenth grade—with the exception of English language learners.  That was the only group to show a decline in passing rates—a three percent drop.