Exit Exams as Part of the War Against the Poor and the Brown

High school exit exams are new to Arizona, and many people there, as noted in this story, are wondering about the fairness of such tests. Some must know that one of the most reliable predictors of test scores is family income, as shown on this information that FairTest obtained from the College Board in 2002. These same correlations, by the way, can be found in any set of state test scores or in international comparisons, regardless of grade level.

Family Income----Verbal/Math Scores

Less than $10,000/year-----417/442
$10,000 - $20,000/year-----435/453
$20,000 - $30,000/year-----461/470
$30,000 - $40,000/year-----480/485
$40,000 - $50,000/year-----496/501
$50,000 - $60,000/year-----505/509
$60,000 - $70,000/year-----511/516
$70,000 - $80,000/year-----517/524
$80,000 - $100,000/year-----530/538
More than $100,000/year-----555/568

Perhaps these same ambivalent Arizona citizens could use these facts as they reconsider their decision:

• Of the 10 states with the highest African-American populations, 9 have high school exit exams
• Of the 10 states with the highest Hispanic populations, 8 have high school exit exams
• Of the 10 states with highest white populations, 1 has a high school exit exam
• of the 10 states with lowest graduation rates, all ten have high school exit exams; and 9 of these states have had them for more than 10 years

Very effective policy--very effective in the continuing oppression of minorities and the poor.