CAHSEE NOTIFICATION LETTER 2007-08

All California public school students are required by state law to satisfy the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) requirement, as well as all other state and local requirements, in order to receive a high school diploma. All students, including English learners and students with disabilities, must take the CAHSEE for the first time in tenth grade. Students that do not pass in tenth grade will be required to do CAHSEE prep courses. Students must attend the following scheduled appointments: learning record meetings, CAHSEE Prep tutoring sessions and CAHSEE classes, Special Education meetings and related tutorials, and exam/testing sessions. There will be additional opportunities in grades eleven and twelve to retake the part(s) not passed.

What the CAHSEE Covers The exam consists of two parts: (1) English-language arts (reading and writing) and (2) mathematics. All questions are aligned to California content standards adopted by the State Board of Education. You can access the CAHSEE test blueprints located online at the following address:   http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/resources.asp.

Requirements for Passing the CAHSEE Students must earn a score of 350 or higher on each part of the CAHSEE (English-language arts and mathematics) to pass the exam. Students do not need to pass both parts of the exam during the same administration in order to satisfy the CAHSEE requirement.

Accommodations and Modifications for Students with Disabilities CAHSEE regulations specify accommodations and modifications that students with disabilities must be permitted to use if specified in the student's individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan for use on the CAHSEE, standardized testing, or for use during classroom instruction and assessments. Students who use an accommodation and earn a score of 350 or higher have passed that part of the CAHSEE. Students who use a modification and earn the equivalent of a passing score on one or both parts of the CAHSEE have not passed but may be eligible for a waiver of the CAHSEE requirement. Please contact your special ed department for more information regarding this subject.

Test Variations for English Learners English learners must be permitted to take the CAHSEE with certain test variations if used regularly in the classroom. For example, if regularly used in the classroom, English learners must be permitted to hear the test directions in their primary language or use a translation glossary.

Students who are English learners are required to take the CAHSEE in grade ten with all other grade ten students. During their first 24 months in a California school, English learners are to receive six months of instruction in reading, writing, and comprehension in English (Education Code Section 60852). During this time, they are still required to take the CAHSEE. All students must pass the CAHSEE in English to receive their high school diploma.

Graduation Requirements All California public school students must satisfy the CAHSEE requirement, in addition to meeting all other state and local requirements, to receive their high school diploma. Students with disabilities and English learners must also satisfy the CAHSEE requirement.

Students scheduled to receive a diploma on or before December 31, 2007 who have an IEP or Section 504 Plan may be eligible for a CAHSEE exemption if they meet certain criteria. For more information, please read the October 13, 2006 letter regarding instructions for eligibility verification for the CAHSEE exemption for students with disabilities found online at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/.

Testing Dates The CAHSEE will be administered at the school site during regular school hours on the dates specified in the chart below. Students in grade ten must take the CAHSEE during the February 2008 administration. Students who cannot attend due to extreme circumstances must contact their ES immediately and ask if they can be assigned to the make-ups which will be offered in May. Grade eleven and twelve students who have not passed one or both parts of the CAHSEE will be offered the exam on the dates listed in the chart below.

English-Language Arts Tuesday	Mathematics Wednesday	Administered To
Oct. 2	Oct. 3	Grades 11, 12
Feb. 5	Feb. 6	Grades 10, 11, 12
March 11	March 12	Impending graduates only
May 6	May 7	Grades 11,12   ( approved gr. 10 makeups only)