Back to California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) - Hot Topics
Exit exam is an absolute necessity (Link No Longer Active)
Ventura County Star - June 12, 2006
Why the California High School Exit Exam Works (Outside Source)
California Progress Report - June 8, 2006
Exit exam should stay as is, not watered down (Link No Longer Active)
Inside Bay Area - June 6, 2006
Much has been written lately about the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). Most has been about how unfair it is to students who have not been given the "proper instruction" to succeed. On the other side, radio talk show hosts and others have belittled the students who failed to pass the exam and questioned why they should receive a "certificate of completion" if they can not do "eighth grade level math."
I teach at PAAL, an academy in the Long Beach Unified School District, which was established to give more personal attention to students who may be behind on graduation credits and wish to catch up. I was given the opportunity and challenge to prepare over 20 seniors to take the CAHSEE in March. This was their last chance to pass. Many had taken the test three or four times without success. When we started the class in January, the message was clear in each of their minds, "Pass or don't walk! Either learn the math needed to pass CAHSEE or you will not receive a high school diploma nor walk in the graduation ceremony."
When these students knew that they had to learn the math concepts or the consequences would be severe, they really buckled down and learned. Our advantage here at PAAL was our relatively smaller school and class size. Instead of having 30 students in a prep class, I had approximately 15 to 20. This made all the difference in the world. I was able to give each student much more concentrated instruction and personal attention. I didn't have to motivate them, they knew it was "do it or fail." Yes, the pressure was somewhat great on many of them. But for once in their high school careers they knew if they didn't stay awake in class, complete the assignments, listen to the instructor, and study at home, there would a great consequence to face.
As far as the CAHSEE level of math being at the eighth grade, I beg to differ. Yes, the State of California has a standard of algebra readiness for all eighth grade students, but many, if not most eighth grade students, are not ready to achieve that standard upon completion of their middle school years. The 80 CAHSEE math problems would be a challenge for many working adults today. To say that the CAHSEE math test is "dummy math" is false. My students had to work hard and now have a much better understanding and appreciation for math and its usefulness in their lives.
Now for the good news, of the 20 students who attended my class on a regular basis, 19 of them were able to pass the exam. Many of these students did not just "squeak by," they scored rather high. The joy they showed on their faces was exciting when they received their scores just last week. A feeling of accomplishment was very apparent. Students who had really almost given up felt like they belonged up there with their classmates at the upcoming graduation ceremony.
I am happy for them. After nearly 30 years of teaching, I felt more joy for these students than for many of my so-called "higher performing" students.
The CAHSEE and standardized testing is good for education. It holds students accountable. The high school exit exam should continue to be supported by all Californians who wish to raise our educational standards up so that all students are prepared to live and work here in our great state.
Norb Huber, Math instructor, Long Beach Poly High School - PAAL Academy
June 9, 2006
I want to write to support your advocating of the high school graduation exit test. My son is in the 12th grade and failed three times on the test and our family is also a disadvantaged one. Even though my son has yet to pass his exit exam, I support you full heartedly. Each time my son fails the exam, his English has improved. He would study harder at the exit test preparation class his school specially opened for these kind of students. I also benefited from the same situation. I graduated from a nationally well-known university graduate school and was able to find a job easier for the last 30 years in the USA. I have a suggestion to make if you can not overturn the court ruling. You can at least put in writing on the diploma to say that the student did not pass the (math or English-language arts) subject in the California high school graduation exit test. This way, it would be fair to the 90 percent who passed, and would be fair and prepare employers who would hire these kind of students who failed in the test. Keep up the good work to make the USA more compatible with the rest of the world.
Lau Leong, Parent
May 19, 2006
Kudos and congratulations to you for your valiant efforts regarding the exit exam issue. I was on the geology faculty at San Francisco State University from 1966 to 1992. Over the last ten or so years there, my colleagues and I witnessed the obvious and precipitous decline in the overall preparation of the students. We felt wedged into the unpleasantness of having to dumb down our courses. For most educators, that inevitability is extremely distasteful and discouraging. Often, I would drive home from work asking myself "why am I doing this?" I was teaching bone-head elementary school concepts to college juniors and seniors. I became very eager for early retirement, for the sake of my mental stability and overall disposition. I urge you not to back down one inch on you stand on the exit exam. The students, their parents, and their legal teams are asking for a something-for-nothing deal, which has become all too prevalent among the young people in our society. They might even contemplate that someday they might wrangle some free medical, legal, or other professional degrees without passing the exams, on the grounds that the exams are unfair, or too difficult. Many times, I heard from some disgruntled students that my exams were unfair. I assured them that: (1) every student took the same test; (2) that the tests were objective; (3) that all the tests were graded objectively (many with scanners); and (4) the letter grades were established on a curve. No further grousing occurred. Good luck in your crusade.
John H. Tyler, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
February 18, 2006
I am the principal of a 400 student body continuation high school in San Diego County. I deal with a wide range of at-risk students, all of whom are behind in credits and struggling to graduate. The California High School Exit Exam has been the best thing to happen to my site. It has given us a specific target which our students must meet and provides (them) much needed accountability in the expectations we have for our students. The CAHSEE has provided a level of legitimacy to our diploma that is equal to anyone in the state. If this (lawsuit) is final, I fear it will greatly reduce the momentum we have going in regard to high expectations for every student. Good luck with the appeal.
Dan Lopez, Ed.D., Principal
Abraxas High School, Poway, CA
May 15, 2006
I am a 40-year old working mother of two in the Santa Clarita Valley. Although my children attend private school, I was deeply disappointed with the judge's ruling to allow students to receive a high school diploma without passing the California High School Exit Exam. ... I had an experience in business with an employee educated in the California public school system. The young women had a high school diploma. However, her written communication (skills were) at a fourth-grade level. This was not acceptable, as she managed 30 employees and effective writing was essential to success in the position. When students are promoted without demonstrating proficiency in the subject matter, we all fail. We fail to equip the student with skills needed for future employment and we are less competitive in this global economy. My son and daughter will re-enter public school in the fall. In six years when my children graduate, I hope the bar will be set even higher than today's California High Exit Exam.
Sonya Spurlock, Parent
May 23-25, 2006
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District will, at its next board meeting, set a policy making passing the CAHSEE a requirement for graduation. It is our contention that while the judge can stop it as a state policy, local school boards still retain the right to set graduation standards. We believe, given the effort of our students and teachers, that students have had the opportunity to learn and to delay this requirement negates all of those efforts. Currently, out of a senior class of more than 400, we have only seven students who have failed one or both parts of the exam. We are waiting the results of the March test and feel at least three more will pass. (As of May 24, 2006, the Paso Robles Board officially made the CAHSEE a graduation requirement for the class of 2006, despite the court ruling.)
Patrick J. Sayne, Ed.D., Superintendent
Paso Robles Public Schools, Paso Robles, CA
May 18, 2006
Supreme Court speaks (Outside Source)
Sacramento Bee - May 26, 2006
Victory for students (Link No Longer Active)
Contra Costa Times - May 26, 2006
The exit exam returns (Outside Source)
Orange County Register - May 26, 2006
Exit exam should be revived, now (Outside Source)
Oakland Tribune - May 19, 2006
Exam ruling hurtful (Link No Longer Active)
Contra Costa Times - May 16, 2006
Judge fails to see why exit exam is needed (Link No Longer Active)
North County Times - May 15, 2006
Diploma should mean something (Link No Longer Active)
Ventura County Star - May 14, 2006
Exit exam fiasco (Outside Source)
Sacramento Bee - May 14, 2006
Class of 2006 should be held to standards (Link No Longer Active)
San Bernardino Sun - May 11, 2006
Judge should not void high school exit exams (Link No Longer Active)
San Jose Mercury News - May 10, 2006
For what it's worth, I support the state exit exam. This article (about a high school football standout who has yet to pass the math portion of the CAHSEE) will help me to motivate my 10 year son to do well in all classes. Not just football, skateboarding, and baseball, but reading, writing, math, science, social studies, music, and art too.
Karen Farrell, Citizen
Irvine, CA
February 9, 2006
Those against the High School Exit Exam say it's not fair to hinge graduation on just one test. In reality, that one test is just one of many graduation requirements. If you don't pass all of the requirements, you don't graduate. Keep up the good work.
George Radojevic, Citizen
Prunedale, CA
February 11, 2006
Please let Jack O'Connell know what a good job he and his staff did on behalf of all high school students in the State of California. I'm very pleased with the way he fought to reinstate the CAHSEE. Thanks for all of your diligent work!
Joanne O'Connell (No relation, but would be proud if there was.)
Glendora High School,
Testing Office,
Glendora, California
May 25, 2006
Please convey to Jack O'Connell my support for his position on the High School Exit Exam. I worked with Jack when I was President of ACSA, Association of California School Administrators, and he was a legislative aide, a super supporter of education. ... Keep up the good work!
Caroll Knipe, Citizen
May 19, 2006
Thank you for this important information (on the California Supreme Court decision). Reason has triumphed!
Judy Post, Assistant Superintendent
Chaffey Jt. Union High School District, Ontario, CA
May 24, 2006
Please extend our congratulations (on the California Supreme Court decision) and appreciation to Jack!
Marcus Johnson, Superintendent
Sanger Unified School District
May 24, 2006
