CAHSEE California High School Exit Exam

OVERVIEW Purpose of the CAHSEE Purpose of the CAHSEE Background Background Contents of the CAHSEE Contents of the CAHSEE School Accountability School Accountability Lawsuits against the CAHSEE and 2006 disability waiver Lawsuits against the CAHSEE and 2006 disability waiver Options for students who do not pass the CAHSEE Options for students who do not pass the CAHSEE CAHSEE Survey distributed to faculty at South El Monte High School CAHSEE Survey distributed to faculty at South El Monte High School Demographics of SEMHS Demographics of SEMHS Survey results Survey results Pros and Cons of the CAHSEE Pros and Cons of the CAHSEE Recommendations regarding the future of the CAHSEE Recommendations regarding the future of the CAHSEE

Background of the CAHSEE ► Local proficiency standards were below high school level and did not correlate with state standards. ► Legislature wanted to set higher standards for high school graduation and proposed the CAHSEE. ► Primary goal was to “ensure that pupils who graduate from high school can demonstrate grade level competency in reading, writing, and mathematics. ► State Superintendent of Public Instruction appointed members to the High School Exit Examination Panel. The CAHSEE was developed based upon recommendations by the panel. ► 1999 CAHSEE state law enacted (California Department of Education)

Purpose of the CAHSEE Improve public high school student achievement Improve public high school student achievement Show students can demonstrate grade level competency in reading, writing, and math. Show students can demonstrate grade level competency in reading, writing, and math. Identify students who are not demonstrating grade level competency skills. Identify students who are not demonstrating grade level competency skills. Districts are encouraged by CAHSEE results to provide additional attention and resources to students who are not acquiring grade level skills. Districts are encouraged by CAHSEE results to provide additional attention and resources to students who are not acquiring grade level skills. Students must pass the CAHSEE and meet respective district requirements to be eligible for high school graduation. Students must pass the CAHSEE and meet respective district requirements to be eligible for high school graduation. (California Department of Education 2006)

Contents of CAHSEE 2 parts English – Language Arts State content standards through grade 10. State content standards through grade 10. Reading portion contains vocabulary, decoding, comprehension, and analysis of literary information in texts. Reading portion contains vocabulary, decoding, comprehension, and analysis of literary information in texts. Writing Portion contains writing strategies, applications and grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Writing Portion contains writing strategies, applications and grammar, spelling, and punctuation.Mathematics State Standards grades 6, 7, and Algebra 1. State Standards grades 6, 7, and Algebra 1. Math portion includes statistics, data analysis, number sense, measurement and geometry, reasoning, and algebra. Math portion includes statistics, data analysis, number sense, measurement and geometry, reasoning, and algebra. Students must also be able to demonstrate a foundation in computation and arithmetic. Students must also be able to demonstrate a foundation in computation and arithmetic.

Test Variations Students are allowed to take the CAHSEE with any accommodations and modifications specified in IEP or 504 Plan ACCOMMODATIONS Definition: A variation in the environment that does not alter what the exam measures. Examples: Braille, math portion read to student.  If a student uses an accommodation, a standard passing score of 350 or above is a PASS.  English learners are required to take the exam, but may utilize a flexible setting or extra time. Students may hear the test directions in their primary language.

Test Variations (Continued) MODIFICATIONS Definition: A variation in the environment that alters what the exam measures. Examples: Use of calculator on math portion, ELA portion read to student.  If a student uses a modification, and earns a standard passing score of 350, the student has not passed – but can request a waiver of the requirement.  Because a modification alters the test – the test is marked “NOT VALID.”  (California Department of Education 2004)

If at first you do not succeed, try, try again Students take the CAHSEE for the first time in the spring of 10 th grade. A student has five more times to take the exam. Seniors may take the exam a seventh time in the spring of 12 th grade, but results will not be posted in time for graduation.

School Accountability The CAHSEE is used for school and district accountabilityThe CAHSEE is used for school and district accountability The CAHSEE is used for State and Federal accountabilityThe CAHSEE is used for State and Federal accountability APIAPI AYPAYP

Lawsuits against the CAHSEE  Disabilities  Other Graduation Requirements Met  Appropriate Alternatives

Options for students who do not pass the CAHSEE 1.Remedial supplemental instruction. 2.Additional year(s) in high school or alternative education program. 3.Independent Study 4.Adult School, Secondary Education 5.Pass CA High School Proficiency Exam. Must be 16 years or over to obtain diploma equivalent. 6.Pass GED – 18 years or older.

Pros of CAHSEE  Standardized Test  Sets a Standard  New Test  Ensures Basic Learning Skills are Learned

Cons of CAHSEE  Multiculturally Biased  Disabilities/Time Limit  Overcrowded Classrooms  Teaching to the Test  Added Stress & Pressure

CAHSEE Survey  10 Questions  Distributed to all faculty members at South El Monte High School in South El Monte, CA.  80 surveys distributed  30 replies received  38% survey return rate

Demographics of SEMHS 1400 Students 93% Hispanic or Latino 5% Asian 2% Other 87% Socioeconomically disadvantaged 80% Students participate in free or reduced lunch Parent education level using a scale of 1-5, where 1 represents not a high school graduate, and 5 represents graduate school = 1.78

CAHSEE Survey For each item below, please indicate your answer using a scale of 1-5, with the answer of 1 meaning Strongly Agree, and 5 meaning Strongly Disagree. Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree 1. The CAHSEE is a valid measure of student knowledge. ______ 2. The CASHEE connects well with the classroom curriculum. ______ 3. The CASHEE connects well with the CA Standards. ______ 4. The CASHEE is accessible to all students. ______ 5. The CASHEE is culturally biased. ______ 6. The CASHEE builds self-esteem. ______ 7. The CASHEE is an appropriate measure of teacher value. ______ 8. The CASHEE forces the teacher to “teach to the test.” ______ 9. The CASHEE is an effective tool to measure the knowledge of Special Education students. ______ 10. The CASHEE should be the determinate factor for graduating students from high school. _____

SURVEY RESULTS

Survey Results – ITEM1 The CAHSEE is a valid measure of student knowledge. MEAN MEDIAN 3.0 MODE 4.0

ITEM 2 The CASHEE connects well with the classroom curriculum. MEAN 3.0 MEDIAN 3.0 MODE 3.00

ITEM 3 The CASHEE connects well with the CA Standards. MEAN MEDIAN 3.0 MODE 4.0

ITEM 4 The CASHEE is accessible to all students. MEAN 3.4 MEDIAN 4.0 MODE 5.0

ITEM 5 The CASHEE is culturally biased. MEAN MEDIAN 3.0 MODE 5.00

ITEM 6 The CASHEE builds self-esteem. MEAN MEDIAN 3.0 MODE 5.0

ITEM 7 The CASHEE is an appropriate measure of teacher value. MEAN MEDIAN 4.0 MODE 5.00

ITEM 8 The CASHEE forces the teacher to “teach to the test.” MEAN MEDIAN 3.0 MODE 1.0

ITEM 9 The CASHEE is an effective tool to measure the knowledge of Special Education students. MEAN MEDIAN 4.0 MODE 5.00

ITEM 10 The CASHEE should be the determinate factor for graduating students from high school. MEAN MEDIAN 3.0 MODE 3.0

CONCLUSIONS The results of the survey indicate that there are many strong opinions against the CAHSEE. The results of the survey indicate that there are many strong opinions against the CAHSEE. 7 out of 10 questions yielded a larger number of responses (mode) of negativity toward the CAHSEE. 7 out of 10 questions yielded a larger number of responses (mode) of negativity toward the CAHSEE. When responses are averaged however, the survey results show that the opinions of the CAHSEE are indifferent, with majority averages being a 3. Respondents neither agree, nor disagree. When responses are averaged however, the survey results show that the opinions of the CAHSEE are indifferent, with majority averages being a 3. Respondents neither agree, nor disagree. The average response of a 3 also shows that people do not have enough information about the CAHSEE to make an absolute decision. The test is new and therefore teachers do not have enough practical experience with the test. The average response of a 3 also shows that people do not have enough information about the CAHSEE to make an absolute decision. The test is new and therefore teachers do not have enough practical experience with the test.

FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS Revamp the test. Consider options for students with disabilities and for English Learners. Not an “end all” solution right now. Monitor individual student progress.

REFERENCES California Department of Education