Student achievement is the driving force behind San Diego County school districts and the San Diego County Office of Education forming the Achievement Gap Task Force, dedicated to eliminating the gap in academic achievement among various populations of students.

The initial focus of the AGTF has been on student performance as measured by the mathematics portion of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). San Diego County's 42 superintendents and governing boards signed the CAHSEE Compact, identifying goals to ensure rigorous mathematics curriculum and highly qualified mathematics teachers for every student, as well as extending learning time for students who have not yet passed the CAHSEE.

Since the initiative began in 2003, students have shown significant gains in performance on the CAHSEE mathematics, with a steady decline in the achievement gap between white and Asian students on one hand, and African American and Latino students on the other.

Our strategy for closing the achievement gap combines strong leadership, focused intervention programs, and intensive professional development centered on a firm commitment to accelerate student success.

CAHSEE Compact

SDCOE Mathematics Intervention Programs

CAHSEE Language Arts

The requirement to pass the CAHSEE holds everyone accountable to the same standards throughout the state, providing a clear measure of success, and offers a tool for equity in education.

As part of this effort, the Standards Management System supports the successful implementation of standards-based instructional programs. Six effective practices of high-performing schools established the organizing structure for the Standards Management System.