CAHSEE Notification Flyer
For Students in Grades Nine Through Twelve
California High School Exit Examination 2011-2012
Notice to Parents, Guardians, and Students
All California public school students, except eligible students with disabilities (see Students with Disabilities section), are required by state law to satisfy the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) requirement, as well as all other state and local graduation requirements, to receive a high school diploma. All students who must meet the CAHSEE requirement, including English learners, will take the examination for the first time in grade ten. Students who do not pass the examination in grade ten will have additional opportunities in grades eleven and twelve to retake the part(s) not passed. More information about CAHSEE testing guidelines can be found on the California Department of Education (CDE) CAHSEE Administrative Documents Web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/admin.asp. Students with disabilities who are eligible for the exemption are required, in grade ten only, to take the CAHSEE to meet state and federal requirements, but not as a condition of graduation.
Subjects Covered on the CAHSEE
The examination consists of two parts: (1) English-language arts (reading and writing) and (2) mathematics. All questions are aligned to California's content standards adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE). The English-language arts portion of the CAHSEE tests California's English-language arts content standards through grade ten and the mathematics portion tests mathematics content standards from grades six and seven, and Algebra I. More information about the content standards covered on the examination can be found by downloading the CAHSEE exam blueprints located on the CDE CAHSEE Program Resources Web page at https://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 examination. Students do not need to pass both parts of the examination during the same test administration to satisfy the CAHSEE requirement.
Students with Disabilities
Eligible students with disabilities are exempt from the requirement to pass the CAHSEE as a condition of graduation from high school (California Education Code [EC] Section 60852.3). An eligible student, as defined in the law, is a student with an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan that indicates that the student has satisfied or will satisfy all other state and local requirements to receive a high school diploma on or after July 1, 2009. Eligible students with disabilities are required, in grade ten only, to take the CAHSEE to meet state and federal requirements, but not as a condition of graduation.
The CAHSEE regulations specify accommodations and modifications that students with disabilities must be permitted to use if specified in the student's 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. Eligible students with disabilities, who wish to meet the CAHSEE requirement by passing the examination and have earned the equivalent of a passing score while taking the CAHSEE with a modification, may choose to apply for a local waiver of the CAHSEE requirement from their local school board. (Although the local waiver option is still in effect, the exemption under EC Section 60852.3 eliminates the need for the local waiver for students who are eligible for the exemption.)
More information on exemptions, accommodations, modifications, and the local waiver process can be found on the CDE CAHSEE Frequently Asked Questions Web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/faq.asp.
How long will the exemption last?
EC Section 60852.3 states that this exemption shall last until the SBE makes a determination that alternative means, by which an eligible student with a disability may demonstrate the same level of academic achievement in the content standards required for passage on the CAHSEE, are not feasible or that alternative means are implemented. On July 14, 2010, the SBE determined that alternative means are feasible and on February 9, 2011, adopted permanent regulations extending the implementation date to July 1, 2012. The exemption from meeting the CAHSEE requirement remains in place until alternative means are implemented.
Test Variations for Students who are English Learners
Students who are 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 6 months of instruction in reading, writing, and comprehension in English (EC 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.
Testing Dates
The CAHSEE will be administered at the school site during regular school hours on the dates specified in the chart on below. Students in grade ten must take the CAHSEE during the March 2012 test administration. For grade ten students who are absent, a make-up administration 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 examination on the dates listed in the chart below.
| 2012-13 Designated CAHSEE Testing Dates | ||
|---|---|---|
| English-Language Arts | Mathematics | Administered To |
| Tuesday | Wednesday | |
| July 24th, 2012 | July 25th, 2012 | 12th |
| October 2rd, 2012 | October 3rd, 2012 | 12th |
| November 6th, 2012 | November 7th, 2012 | 11th, 12th |
| February 5th, 2013 | February 6th, 2013 | 12th |
| March 12th, 2013 | March 13th, 2013 | 10th, 11th, 12th |
| May 14th, 2013 | May 15th, 2013 | 10th, 12th |
Additional Information
For the latest information regarding the CAHSEE, please visit the CDE CAHSEE Web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/. If you have any further questions about the CAHSEE, please contact our school office at (310) 263-4400.