By Bria Chappell

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ne of the key factors to graduating high school in California is passing the California High School Exit Exam, better known as the CAHSEE. The test is administered in the spring during students' sophomore year. The CAHSEE measures sixth through eighth grade mathematics standards, including Algebra 1. It also tests students’ knowledge of English standards covered through the tenth grade. Students who pass the CASHEEE, a senior exhibition, and have a 2.0 or higher cumulative grade point average, will walk across the stage in June to receive their diploma.

The CASHEE is first administered in the tenth grade.  However, students who do not pass the first time around have several other opportunities to take the test or simply the sections they did not pass. In the eleventh grade, students can take it two more times. If they still do not pass in the eleventh grade, they have five more chances to pass it in their senior year.

According to the California Department of Education, “Assembly Bill (AB347) states that you are entitled to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until you have passed both parts of the exit examination, whichever comes first. Also, you have the right to file a complaint regarding those services through the Uniform Complaint Procedure as set forth in California Education Code Section 35186.”

At Lincoln, students are offered Revolution Prep CAHSEE books and online assistance. One Lincoln senior who has taken the test five times, says that she will take the test for the last time next week and she feels she will pass this time around because she has studied and taken advantage of the free Revolution Prep resources.

When Lincoln first reopened in 2007, 624 sophomores were tested in English- Language Arts and 53 percent passed the CAHSEE, according to data found at the California Department of Education. 215 of the students who were tested were English learners. More recently, the class of 2013 took the CAHSEE and out of 434 students who were tested in English- Language Arts, 64 percent passed. 150 of the students who were tested were English learners.

A senior who is preparing to take the CASHEE soon, said, “It was hard for me because my first language is not English.”

The majority of Lincoln’s student population is Hispanic or Latino and a significant portion are English learners. This makes it difficult for students to score proficient or advanced. Nevertheless, with the Revolution Prep resources and the support of Lincoln staff, hopefully Lincoln seniors will pass the CASHEE on February 7 and 8, 2012 which will be the last chance to walk with their class this June.

Good luck Hornets!