Effects of the California High School Exit Exam on Student Persistence, Achievement, and Graduation

Effects of the California High School Exit Exam on Student Persistence, Achievement, and Graduation by Sean F. Reardon, Allison Atteberry, Nicole Arshan, and Michal Kurlaender

This study, released April 21, 2009, provides the most detailed analysis of the effects of the California High School Exit Exam to date. The study finds that the policy has lowered the graduation rates of low-achieving students of color and of girls by 15-20 percentage points. Moreover, the policy has had no positive effect on students' academic achievement.