What is the CAHSEE?
The CAHSEE is an acronym for California High School Exit Exam, the now mandated test that must be passed by all high school students in California prior to receiving a high school diploma. 1999 state laws in California first approved developing the CAHSEE over concern that many students were receiving high school diplomas but did not have the skills to succeed in higher-level universities. The first class to actually need the CAHSEE as a graduation requirement was the class of 2006, but in a few school districts, this decision was contested and students who had not passed the CAHSEE were allowed to graduate. The CAHSEE is a two-part exam covering language arts and mathematics. Mathematics subjects include basic arithmetic through understanding of basic algebra. Students must demonstrate knowledge in probability, measurement, basic geometry, basic statistics, number sense and first year high school algebra skills. The second part of the CAHSEE is language arts. Students must be able to
In 1999, California enacted a law required that every California public school student pass an examination to receive a high school diploma. The purpose of the exam is to ensure that high school graduates are able to use mathematics and con read and write in English effectively and competently. This decision was highly controversial and met with huge opposition. In July 2003, the California State Board of Education decided that the Class of 2006 would be the first students required to pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to receive a diploma. The rational for the delay for implementation was to give both educators and students several years to prepare themselves for the exam.
