While as many as 120 high school seniors from the class of 2006 await the results of their high school exit exams, the Napa Valley Unified School District is taking an aggressive stance towards making sure students pass the test and get their diplomas.

Overall, the passing rate for Napa Valley Unified is over 93 percent, slightly higher than the state average.

"When you look at our demographics, we have a significant number of students who are English learners, and students of poverty. ... I'm delighted we're helping them exit our system with the same success of students who came with more privileged backgrounds," said Elena Toscano, NVUSD's assistant superintendent of instructional support service.

This spring, the school district offered weekend sessions, online tutorials and other so-called "interventions" to help students pass the tests. This helped many, but some did not pass, and there remaining options are limited.

According to Toscano, students can enroll in adult school, with the option of taking the test up to three times in one year.

The state also says students can enroll in a national program to obtain a diploma equivalent, by passing the General Educational Development test or the California High School Proficiency Exam.

To pursue a degree at Napa Valley College, students need a diploma or diploma equivalent, said Joanna Tiaze, an NVC registration representative. For some courses, such as physical education, a diploma or diploma equivalent is not necessary.

Interventions are key

For students struggling with the high school exit exam, interventions are the only way to go, and Napa Valley Unified has plenty of options.

Next school year, students will have access to programs before, after and during school hours. Other options are attending Saturday academies, or using the district's new online review program that allows students to learn from their home.

"Our goal is that 100 percent of the students will have had interventions prior to (taking) the test," Toscano said. "We make sure they had preliminary preparation ... and we target whatever (subject) is giving them the (most trouble)."

To help fund interventions, the state is offering reimbursement to districts. NVUSD will receive $3.68 per student, per hour for attending an exit exam review session. Last year, the district applied for and received a $69,000 grant just to help seniors pass the exam. The money was used to begin the Saturday academies, helped to buy the online computer review program, and was used to buy review books for students from Kaplan.

"We're happy to spend every single penny on getting kids the help they need," Toscano said. "We want students to pass the exam."