Frequently Asked Questions
(CAHSEE)
1. What is "CAHSEE"?
"CAHSEE" refers to
the California High School Exit Exam.
2. Who must take the CAHSEE?
The California State Board
of Education (SBE) requires that high school students graduating in the 2006
school year and beyond must pass this exam in order to receive a high school
diploma.
3. Can 9th grade students take the exam?
No, it is not allowed.
4. How long is
the exam?
Each exam is divided into
two sessions per day. One day is for English Language Arts, the other day is
for Math. When the student begins an exam, they must complete both sessions on
that same day. For example, if they sign up to take the Math exam, they must
start at 10am and take the first two-hour session and also take the second
two-hour session the same day in order for their test to be scored.
The tests are not timed. The
average time is two and a half hours per session and there are two sessions per
day with a break in between. The test schedule is set up using average times.
.
5. When is
the exam?
The dates for the exams are listed
on the CW Assessment Calendar:
http://www.connectingwaters.org/Assessment/2011/cal.pdf
Specific grades test on
specific dates. Please note this when viewing the calendar.
Test site locations and
schedules are on the CWCS website, and are also available through your ES.
You will also receive a
letter in the mail letting you know where your test site is located.
6. Students
in what grade take the exam?
Grade 10 students must take
the CAHSEE during the Spring session. The second administration is only for
true emergencies and late enrollees.
Grade 10 students may only
attempt one time per year.
Grade 11 students may
attempt two times per year.
Grade 12 students may
attempt all three times per year.
Students who desire to
participate in the graduation ceremony must have passed the CAHSEE prior to the
date of the May CAHSEE test.
7. What do
students bring to the exam?
Students must show a photo
identification of some kind to be able to take the test. Please have students
also bring their own water and food.
8. If a student takes and passes the high
school exit exam, do they have to continue taking it each grade until
graduation?
No, as each part is passed,
they are not allowed to take each section over again. They have completed that
requirement.
9. If the
student takes the CAHSEE and passes it with another school, do they have to
take it again with CWCS?
No. They do not have to
retake the test if it has already been passed, although the student is
responsible for providing their exam results to their ES or to the CWCS
Assessment Dept.
Please send a copy of the
results to: IEM, CWCS Assessment Dept, 1166 Broadway, Suite Q,
10. Can a student choose to
leave the school after 12th grade, having met all other graduation
requirements, to return for one more opportunity to pass the exam?
Yes. Students previously
enrolled in CWCS who have met all graduation requirements, except for passing
the CAHSEE, may enroll
with CWCS for the next available exam day(s).
11. What about students who are not
fluent in English?
English learners are
required to take the CAHSEE in grade 10 with all students. These students must
complete six months of instruction in reading, writing, and comprehension in
English during the first 24 months of enrollment in the
12. Will students with special
needs have to take the CAHSEE?
If students are unsuccessful in passing the CAHSEE exam, it is CWCS's policy that students enroll in remedial classes to support them in acquiring the skills assessed on the CAHSEE. If identified special education students (with current IEPs) or students with 504 Accommodation Plans are unable to pass the CAHSEE by the end of their 12th grade year, but have completed all other CWCS graduation requirements which would enable them to graduate with a diploma, current legislation allows these students to receive a regular high school diploma without the necessity of passing the CAHSEE.
13. What if parents do not want their
student tested?
All students must pass the
CAHSEE in order to receive a high school diploma from a
14. What does the English-language
arts part of the CAHSEE cover?
The English-language arts
part of the CAHSEE addresses state content standards through grade 10. 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 standard English (e.g., grammar, spelling,
and punctuation). The English-Language Arts portion of the exam is divided into
two sections and is administered on the same day with a break in between.
15. What does the mathematics part
of the CAHSEE cover?
The mathematics part of the
CAHSEE addresses state standards in grades 6, 7, and algebra 1. The exam
includes statistics, data analysis and probability, number sense, measurement
and geometry, mathematical reasoning, and algebra. Students also are asked to
demonstrate a strong foundation in computation and arithmetic, including
working with decimals, fractions, and percents. The Mathematics portion of the
exam is divided into two sections but is administered on the same day with a
break in between.
16. How can parents help their student
pass the test?
There are many resources on
the CDE (California Department of Education) website to assist
teachers/students in covering the required material such as released test
questions, teacher guides, and test blueprints. Visit the website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/resources.asp
All Students in 10th grade
should be using CAHSEE Prep materials which should be part of their English and
Math curriculum. Students in 10th grade who score Far Below Basic or Below
Basic on their 9th grade STAR test for math or language arts must participate
in the CAHSEE Intensive plan and be enrolled in CAHSEE prep course
(may be independent) as part of their CAHSEE PLIP. See the CWCS
Curriculum Policy for PLIP information.
17. What happens if students don’t pass
the CAHSEE?
Students that do not pass
one or both parts of the Cahsee 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. Students who desire to participate in the graduation
ceremony must take two out of the first three sessions of the CAHSEE (and
pass the test) during their senior year (unless exam has been passed).
Students in 11th Grade,
who have not passed one or both parts of CAHSEE, must participate in a CAHSEE
Prep course as a CAHSEE Plip (tutoring is an acceptable substitute). Exception:
11th grade students who are taking Algebra I or Geometry may use programs like
Students in 12th grade who
have not passed either section of the CAHSEE, must participate in the CAHSEE Intensive plan for their CAHSEE PLIP. See the CWCS
Curriculum Policy for PLIP information. Students in the 12th grade who have
not passed the CAHSEE may request additional CAHSEE
funds if needed.