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COMPOSITION The CAHSEE is divided into two main sections: English-language arts (ELA) and mathematics. The English section includes 72 multiple choice questions, and requires students to respond to a prompt with a 2 1/2 page essay. California Department of Education. Standards and Assessment Division. "CAHSEE Language Arts Blueprint," July 9, 2003. Retrieved July 7, 2006. The mathematics section consists of 80 multiple choice questions.[http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/documents/bpmath03.pdf California Department of Education. Standards and Assessment Division. "CAHSEE Mathematics Blueprint," July 9, 2003. Retrieved July 7, 2006. Scores are scaled out of a possible 450 points on each section. The English section tests students at a 10th-grade level, and requires a score of 60% to pass; the mathematics section tests students at an 8th-grade level, and requires a score of 55% to pass. Students are offered six chances to pass the test, beginning in their year, and need only retake a section or sections they have not yet passed. SPECIAL EDUCATION As of October 29 2006 high school seniors with documented disabilities will be allowed to graduate this year, even if they do not pass the CAHSEE. HISTORY AND CONTROVERSY The California state legislature passed the CAHSEE into law in , in October of 2001 . Initially, the test was intended as a graduation requirement for the class of 2004, but the State Board of Education later revised the deadline, focusing on the class of 2006. As the 2006 deadline neared, political pressure against the exam built up; though O'Connell (now state , Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation which would have allowed students to pass alternative assessments. Jeff Hudson, ''The Davis Enterprise''. "Exit strategy," January 22, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2006. Supporters of the test have claimed that the large number of failing students brings into question the value of passing grades in California high schools.[http://www.freelancenews.com/opinion/contentview.asp?c=176087 ''Hollister Free Lance.'' "The Trouble With CAHSEE," January 4, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2006. As of June 2 , 2006 , 41,758 members of the California class of 2006, or one of every ten students, will be denied Diplomas as a result of failing the CAHSEE; this does not include students who have failed to meet other graduation requirements. The passing rate of white and Asian students is higher than that of Latino and African-American students. Students learning English have the lowest passing rate, with one out of every four failing the exam. In the Los Angeles Unified School District , Superintendent Roy Romer allowed those who didn't pass the CAHSEE to participate in graduation activities if the student agrees to take the CAHSEE during the summer. In May of 2006, an , 2006 , {Link without Title} Joel Rubin, ''Los Angeles Times''. "Exit Exam Hearing Scheduled for July," May 27, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2006. and upheld the CAHSEE. Class of 2007 As of February of 2007, 91% of students in the class of 2007 had passed both sections of the exit exam, an increase from the class of 2006.1 Some districts have reported fewer than a dozen students failing to pass, while others report several hundred. In 2007 graduation ceremonies, many schools and districts opted to allow students who had failed the exit exam, but met other graduation requirements, to participate in the ceremony. Nine districts also gave these students "certificates of completion," recognizing that they had met all other graduation requirements.2 As of June of 2007, 4,000 of the students who failed the exam in 2006 had passed it in 2007.3 State-wide, 80% of students who took the test passed both sections on their first attempt, in 2007 (compared to 40% in 2002).4 SEE ALSO REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS |
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