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Rio Hondo College News

MEDIA ALERT
3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601 / 562-692-0921
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Merle Enriquez   Secretary
Department: Planning and Development
Phone:  (562) 692-0921  Ext. 3412
Rio E-Mail: MEnriquez@riohondo.edu

Article published: Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Whittier Daily News

Courses prepare students for exam Some seniors at risk of not graduating
By Tracy Garcia Staff Writer

WHITTIER - Rio Hondo College has joined the effort to help local students pass the California High School Exit Exam, a 10th-grade-level test every senior in the state must pass in order to graduate.

This month, the college kicks off a course called "Preparation for the CAHSEE: Math," for high schoolers struggling to pass the math portion of the test.

The course isn't free - it costs $295 - but it will review every math category tested in the exit exam, including statistics, data analysis, measurement, geometry, probability and algebra, officials said.

It runs from Feb. 25 to March 18, and comes just in time for seniors who may only have one more chance to take the test before commencement ceremonies get under way in June.

"I think it's great that Rio Hondo is offering those courses for those who want to avail themselves of it," said Leighton Anderson, vice president of the Whittier Union High School District board of trustees.

But while students have the option of paying for this new course, Anderson said the district will continue to give students the help they need to pass.

"I wouldn't think it would be necessary to pay for an outside course when the students have the range of services we're offering free of charge," Anderson said.

The exam has been a source of controversy since it was authorized in 1999, even prompting a lawsuit to be filed last week in San Francisco on behalf of 10 high school seniors who have yet to pass both the math and English-language arts portions.

They allege the exam is unfair and discriminatory and are seeking to have it overturned as a graduation requirement.

In addition to the CAHSEE course, Rio Hondo also will offer an SAT college entrance exam preparation course, slated to take place from April 8 to 29.

"The New SAT - Including the New Written Essay" course, which costs $265, will focus on essay-writing strategies since an 800-point essay portion was added to the test last year.

It also will include tips on how to take the math and language arts portions of the test.

"Rio Hondo is dedicated to providing the services our community needs and wants," said board President Gary Mendez.

"With the state requiring high school students to pass the CAHSEE to graduate and more and more weight being given to the SAT in college entrance evaluations, we are stepping up to provide classes that ensure students do their best and are ready to move on to the next stage of their lives," Mendez added.

For more information on the classes, or to register for these community service classes, call (562) 463-4606, (562) 908-3469 or visit www.riohondo.edu/ecd/cecd/communityservices.htm.

-RHC-

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