The CAHSEE is a two-part exam that tests only eighth-grade level
math and 10th-grade level English skills. Students who fail to pass
the CAHSEE do not receive a high school diploma, by state law,
even, as in Chavez’s case, when they earn enough credits to
graduate.
The CAHSEE is a two-part exam that tests only eighth-grade level math and 10th-grade level English skills. Students who fail to pass the CAHSEE do not receive a high school diploma, by state law, even, as in Chavez’s case, when they earn enough credits to graduate.
In the MHUSD, as in some other school districts, those students are not permitted to participate in commencement ceremonies either.
Chavez, an English-language learner who has been in America only six years, compiled a 3.0 grade point average, earned a $1,000 scholarship from Gavilan College, and accumulated glowing references while working after-school jobs to help support her family headed by her single mother. However, Chavez did not pass the math portion of the CAHSEE by just a few points.
Students struggling to pass the CAHSEE just before graduation are notified in May whether they’ve passed or failed, after optimistic plans for graduation parties are under way. When they miss, they’re forced to cancel plans with family and friends, an embarrassing scenario, in addition to missing the experience of sharing commencement ceremonies with their fellow students.
Which brings us to those aforementioned two major flaws.
First, we fail to see the value of an exam required for graduation from 12th grade that tests eighth-grade level math and 10th-grade level English skills.
It’s a waste of time, energy and resources to administer a test that offers no assurances to potential schools or employers that a student has mastered 12th-grade level material.
Second, the real scandal of the CAHSEE is that students can pass course after course, accumulating passing grades and credits sufficient to graduate from high school, but be unable to pass the exit exam.
Punishing students with sufficient credits but lacking a passing CAHSEE score is misguided: The real target ought to be the school districts where this occurs.
But to compound this error, as the MHUSD does, by not allowing students like Chavez to participate in commencement ceremonies, is cruel and pointlessly punitive.
Of course, instead of a diploma, under existing law Chavez would be handed a blank piece of paper, or some “certificate of completion” during the ceremony.
Life already imposes significant penalties on students who fail to earn high school diplomas. Chavez is ineligible for federal financial aid until she earns her diploma. Job opportunities and lifetime earning potential are vastly reduced for students who don’t have that piece of paper.
Let’s work with state representatives to abolish or dramatically reform the test. But in the meantime, let’s not compound the problem by pointlessly punishing students who have the credits to graduate by barring them from commencement ceremonies.
