For the first time at Uni, school officials have organized the Beyond the Bell program (BTB). It prepares students to pass the required California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).

BTB focuses on giving students more one-on-one attention. There are 8 instructors and 74 students in the program. No more than ten students can be in one class.

“It’s extremely important to have small classes,” said English teacher Kyle M. Moody. “It helps the teacher learn more about students’ weaknesses, and it gives a teacher an opportunity to help them.”

California uses the CAHSEE to assure whether each student has mastered key skills before graduating high school. For the class of ‘06, the exam has become a requirement before a student receives a diploma.

The No Child Left Behind Act, established in 2001, provides students Supplemental Edu-cational Services (SES) to help them with testing.

Since Jan. 30, students have reviewed basic English and Math skills in Kaplan books.

Students are divided into different classes depending upon their scores on standardized tests in the past.

Every class session teachers split the class in half, spending an equal hour and a half on English and an hour and a half on Math.

The CAHSEE will be held on March 15, the day after the end of the program.

“They won’t be able to say that they forgot the information they learned,” said Principal Eloise McGehee. “I know the students will do better this year.”

According to the California Department of Education, in the 2003-2004 school year, 72% of University High students passed the English portion of the exam and 67% passed the Math.

Students who take the classes earn 2 1?2 credits at the completion of the course.

School officials notified all students who must pass the test in March or Nov. about the opportunity to participate in the BTB program, which provides bus transportation.

After every session, school officials hold a raffle for the students. They award McDonald’s gift certificates and once awarded an MP3 player.

The class meets every Monday and Wednesday after school from 3:15-5:45 p.m.