According to a new report by the Public Policy Institute of California, students at risk of failing the California High School Exit Exam can be identified as early as the fourth grade. The study implies that funding more intervention and tutorial programs at the elementary and middle school levels could increase the number of high school graduates. But given California's current budget crisis, the likelihood of additional programs to aid students is unlikely. California schools consume half of the state's general funds and this year Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed $5 billion in education cuts. Recent polls show that most Californians strongly oppose cuts to education, but also prefer spending cuts instead of tax hikes to fix the state's budget.
With:
Jill Tucker.
Airdate: June 13, 2008.
Additional Resources
Early help urged to avoid exit exam failure
Carrie Sturrock, Chronicle
Squabbling over dollars masks real problems of California public schools
Dan Walters, Sacramento Bee
