The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is a state-mandated test that all California high school students must pass before receiving a diploma. California state laws were passed in 1999 to develop standardized tests in response to concerns that many California high school graduates lacked the necessary skills to succeed in higher education. In response to these laws, the CAHSEE was created. Despite the fact that it was first offered in 2001, the class of 2006 was the first to be forced to take it as a graduation requirement.
The CAHSEE consists of two parts: language arts and mathematics. Basic arithmetic problems and basic algebra concepts are included in the math section. Students must show that they have a working knowledge of probability, measurement, basic geometry, basic statistics, and first-year high school algebra.
The language arts section of the CAHSEE is the second part. Students must be able to demonstrate reading comprehension, grammar knowledge, and writing abilities. Students’ writing abilities are assessed in an essay-writing format, which requires them to write a basic five-paragraph essay with logical flow, proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
In the tenth grade, students begin taking the CAHSEE. Sections that are passed count toward graduation requirements, and sections that are not passed can be retaken up to three times per year. The CAHSEE is not always passed, and many parents of children with learning disabilities believe the test is inherently unfair because it allows for few accommodations.
When test modifications are allowed, such as the use of a calculator or word processor to complete the test, the test score is not considered passing. There are some workarounds available. A school administrator can ask the school board to award a diploma to students who required accommodations in order to pass the test.
However, even students with high-level thinking but learning disabilities may only receive a certificate of completion rather than a diploma at the end of high school. Most state universities do not accept certificates of completion, but they are commonly accepted by junior colleges, where the student can receive additional remediation and assistance if necessary. Seniors who do not receive a diploma usually have the option of taking additional classes at a high school to pass the CAHSEE.
Unlike many other standardized tests, the CAHSEE is free to take and is frequently given during regular school hours. The CAHSEE cannot be charged by public schools because it is a diploma and graduation requirement, and public education must be free to students. The CAHSEE is also administered free of charge in most private schools.
The CAHSEE, like all standardized exams, has both merits and flaws. Most students who pass are prepared to enter at least freshman college level courses after demonstrating mastery of certain basic skills. Inflexibility regarding modifications for students who do require them, on the other hand, can make the CAHSEE difficult for some students. Students may be more likely to drop out if they know they won’t be able to pass the CAHSEE without modifications, because the certificate of completion isn’t accepted by most colleges.