2013 Spring Semester

Welcome to the Spring Semester, also known as the Testing Semester. During this period of time the Sophomore Class take the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). The CAHSEE is required for graduation from any public high school in the state. During the first two weeks of May, students enrolled in Advance Placement (AP) courses will be provided the opportunity to test through the College Board. The test dates and times are the same for student’s nation-wide and are designated to the specific course. AP courses are college courses that are provided to students on the high school campus. Many colleges give academic units for the AP Exam a student passes.

From April 22^nd through May 2^nd, students in Grades 9, 10, and 11 will be involved in high-stakes testing while performing in the Standardized Testing and reporting (STAR) Content Standards Tests (CST’s). The testing is crucial for both students and Lakewood High School. The tests are individual to the student and the courses that they are enrolled in for the following subject areas: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The exams are entered in each student’s academic cumulative record and provide post-secondary institutions; such as colleges, universities, trade schools and the military, a “snap shot” of what the student accomplished and his/her recall of information as requested in the questioning of the exam. The exam results are important for colleges and universities in the accurate and appropriate placement of students in initial entry-level courses. This is a time for the student to demonstrate to the California Department of Education, that what was taught to them they learned at a level of competency (please see table below).

Obviously, we hope that our students perform as close to Advance Proficient as possible, since we hope that our students made the most of their time within their respective classes. In addition, the better a student performs, the greater opportunities they have to enroll in Honors and Advance Placement courses, and exemption from placement exams at CSU schools as well as LBCC. All this equates to financial savings when and if a student matriculates to a college. Also, the scores for the CST’s are a reflection of the individual student and his or her academic prowess. Lastly, we are making a concerted effort as a school to have the highest Academic Performance Index (API) of the comprehensive high schools in the Long Beach Unified School District. The API is based on a school’s overall performance on the STAR tests, our current API is a 753. Our ultimate goal is to be the first comprehensive high school to reach the state target of 800, and we believe as a staff that if all students do their best that we can attain our goal. It is imperative that all students consider the importance of their performance on all the high-stakes tests and understand that there is much to gain for their performance on the exam.

The administration and Associated Student Body (ASB) Leadership will be making presentations through the months of March and April to encourage our students to do their best on testing. We ask all parents and students to take the testing opportunity seriously and understand that this is truly an opportunity for each student, the parent of each child, and the teachers and staff of Lakewood High School, to do our best.

Thank you for your support of Lakewood High School and remember, “To make it good, at the Wood!”

Mario A. Jimenez and Cheryl Cornejo

Co-Principals