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 demonstrate reading comprehension, knowledge of grammar conventions, and writing skills. Writing skills are shown in essay format, and the student must usually need to know how to write a basic five-paragraph essay with logical flow, fairly good grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

In some schools students can begin taking the CAHSEE in 9th grade, and any sections of the test that are passed count. They will continue taking the CAHSEE sections not passed, sometimes about two to three times a year, until all sections are passed. This is not always possible, and many parents of kids with learning disabilities claim that the test is inherently unfair since it allows for few modifications.

When modifications, like needing a calculator or word processor to write the test are allowed, the test score is not counted as passing. There are some ways to get around this. A school administrator can petition the school board to award a diploma to students who needed modifications to pass the test.

Still this may not always occur, and even students with high-level thinking but with learning disabilities may finish high school with only a certificate of completion instead of with a diploma. Most state universities do not accept certificates of completion, but they are usually accepted by junior colleges, where more remediation and aid can be given to the student as needed. High school seniors who don’t receive a diploma usually have opportunities to take more classes at a high school in order to pass the CAHSEE.

Unlike many standardized tests, there is no charge for taking the CAHSEE and it is frequently administered during regular school hours. Legally, public schools cannot charge for the CAHSEE because it is a diploma and graduation requirement and public education must be freely available to students. Most private schools also administer the CAHSEE without charge.

As with all standardized exams, the CAHSEE has both faults and merits. Proving that certain basic skills have been mastered assures that most students who pass are ready to enter at least freshman college level courses. On the other hand, inflexibility regarding modifications for students who do need them can make the CAHSEE burdensome for some students. Concern exists that dropout rate will increase if students know they will not be able to pass the CAHSEE without modifications, since the certificate of completion fails to be recognized by most colleges.