California High School Exit Exam (CaHSEE)

In California, all high school students must pass a test to earn a high school diploma. The test  is called the CAHSEE. Some students with disabilities do not have to pass this test. California created the test to improve student achievement in high schools. The test helps to ensure that students graduate from high school with grade level skills in reading, writing, and math. Students first take this test in grade ten. If they do not pass the test in grade ten, they have  more chances to take the test. In grade eleven, they can take the test two times. In grade  twelve, they have up to five times to take the test. The primary purpose of the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) is to significantly improve pupil achievement in public high schools and to ensure that pupils who graduate from public high schools can demonstrate grade level competency in reading, writing, and mathematics. The CAHSEE helps identify students who are not developing skills that are essential for life after high school and encourages districts to give these students the attention and resources needed  to help them achieve these skills during their high school years. All California public school  students must satisfy the CAHSEE requirement, as well as all other state and local requirements, in order to receive a high school diploma. The CAHSEE requirement can be satisfied by passing the exam or, for students with disabilities, receiving a local waiver pursuant to Education Code  Section 60851(c), or receiving an exemption pursuant to Education Code sections 60852.3 or 60852.4.The CAHSEE has two parts: English-language arts (ELA) and Mathematics. The ELA part addresses state content standards through grade Ten. In reading, this includes vocabulary, decoding, comprehension, and analysis of information and literary texts. In writing, this covers writing strategies, applications, and the conventions of English (e.g. grammar, spelling, and punctuation).  The Mathematics part of the CAHSEE addresses state standards in grades Six and Seven and Algebra I. The exam includes statistics, data analysis and probability, number sense,  measurement and geometry, mathematical reasoning, and algebra. Students are also asked to demonstrate a strong foundation in computation and arithmetic, including working with decimals, fractions, and percents. Students are required to take the CAHSEE for the first time in the tenth grade. Students who do not pass the CAHSEE as tenth graders are given additional opportunities during high school to pass the exam. Eleventh graders who have not passed may take the CAHSEE two times, and seniors who have not yet passed will have up to three more opportunities to take the exam during their senior year.    The California Department of Education has provided every tenth grader with CAHSEE study guides and has released more than 300 questions from past CAHSEE administrations for teachers, students, and parents to review. More information at:  http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/ Sample Test Questions and Study Guides: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/resources.asp