exiting students

Hi teachers ,
Today I read on the Internet the following phrases, but don;t understand the meaning of exiting and exit .Please help me understand it and, if possible,give the synonyms of these words:

"...And in Washington state, lawmakers simply canceled plans to require exiting students to pass a single, comprehensive math test, after fears surfaced that thousands wouldn't measure up."

"....Still, John Warren, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota, who has done extensive research on exit exams, said his research has proved few tangible benefits and suggested that testing requirements will result in more dropouts."

Thank you in advance