Student coursetaking.

HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAMS
in 2004, 20 states had exit exams.
Of these states, 7 had minimum-competency
exams, 10 had standards-based
exams, and 3 had end-of-course exams.

States with mandatory exit exams, by subjects tested: 2004

                 English/
                 language                         Social    Computer
                   arts       Math     Science   studies     skills

Alabama           [check]    [check]   [check]   [check]
Alaska            [check]    [check]
Florida           [check]    [check]
Georgia           [check]    [check]   [check]   [check]
Indiana           [check]    [check]
Louisiana         [check]    [check]   [check]   [check]
Maryland          [check]    [check]
Massachusetts     [check]    [check]
Minnesota         [check]    [check]
Mississippi       [check]    [check]   [check]   [check]
Nevada            [check]    [check]
New Jersey        [check]    [check]
New Mexico        [check]    [check]   [check]   [check]
New York          [check]    [check]   [check]   [check]
North Carolina    [check]    [check]                        [check]
Ohio              [check]    [check]   [check]   [check]
South Carolina    [check]    [check]
Tennessee         [check]    [check]   [check]
Texas             [check]    [check]   [check]   [check]
Virginia          [check]    [check]   [check]   [check]

MATH & SCIENCE

In 1982, 26% of high school graduates had
completed advanced mathematics coursework.
By 2000, the number increased to 45%.

Percentage distribution of high school graduates by
highest level of science courses completed: 1982-2000

                                                     Chemistry II
                 Primary                             or Physics II
         No      physical   General   Chemistry I     or advance
       science   science    biology   or physics I      biology

1982     2%        12%        35%         15%             15%
1987     1%         7%        42%         21%             10%
1990     1%         4%        37%         26%             11%
1992    .3%         3%        36%         27%             14%
1994     1%         2%        34%         30%             13%
1998     1%         3%        29%         30%             15%
2000     1%         3%        28%         31%             18%

ENGLISH & FOREIGN LANGUAGE

In 1982, 13% of high school graduates had
completed some advanced English coursework.

By 2000, the number had risen to 34%.

Percentage distribution of high school
graduates by highest level of
foreign language courses
completed: 1982-2000

                Low
              academic    Advance
       None    level     Placement

1982   46%      40%         1%
1987   33%      48%         2%
1990   27%      51%         3%
1992   23%      52%         3%
1994   22%      52%         3%
1998   19%      51%         4%
2000   17%      53%         5%

ADVANCED COURSES
In 2000, 74% of high school students attended
schools that offered at least one advanced
course in mathematics, English, science
and foreign language.

Percentage of students in schools that offered
at least four advanced courses each
in mathematics, English
science and foreign language, by location
and region: 2000

LOCATION
Central city                    32%
Urban fringe/large town         25%
Rural/small town                 5%

REGION
Northeast                       31%
Southeast                       27%
Central                         10%
West                            23%

Percentage of students in schools that
ottered at least four advanced courses
each in mathematics, English, science
and foreign language, by 12th-grade
enrollment

12TH-GRADE ENROLLMENT
Less than 15                    1%
150-299                        17%
300-449                        29%
450 or more                    43%

Source: The Condition of Education: 2005,
National Center for Education
Statistics, nces.edu.gov