Comments on: In Defense Of The CAHSEE

By: Katy

Katy — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:01:11 +0000

I am an English teacher and have worked with students who have attempted the CAHSEE multiple times. I worked at a continuation school last year and spent a lot of time with a 20 year-old student who still had not passed the CAHSEE (either section). He completed every worksheet, packet, and essay that I gave him, but he still didn’t pass the test by 3 or 4 points. The most challenging part was trying to keep his morale up. He had a great job at the hospital as security with benefits and good pay ($13 an hour). This student was making more than I was making at 20 years old.

It is very tough to watch students struggle through the test. These are C or D students. Some don’t care and some do and struggle through everything. If graduation was based on their GPA, than the would pass. Sadly, they might not.

I do my best as a teacher to prepare them for the CAHSEE. I have even gone as far as rewording my tests to mimic the style and format of the CAHSEE. I hope that the familiarity of the structure will make students feel more comfortable and experience less stress and testing anxiety on the day of the test.

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:09:52 +0000

I was in Special Ed through all of K-12, and I passed both parts of the CAHSEE on my first try. But, let me tell you, it sure as Hell was NOT easy! I have heard Regular Ed kids brag that it was so easy, they finished it in 45 minutes. It took me 5 hours on each part! I am sick of Regular Ed kids telling me how easy it was. I busted my ass, and I’m damn proud of myself! I EARNED my diploma, and no one can take that away from me.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:16:02 +0000

no, thank you! and i will, but, you have helped me more than you know. I have referenced to the site multiple times for help on on my report. thanks again todd :)

By: Todd

Todd — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 21:06:20 +0000

Those classes that schools offer to help students pass the CAHSEE, those are classes that the school and district must allocate funds for. We aren’t given anything from the state to offset the cost of assigning a teacher to those classes.

And I’m not sure what you mean by “the state pays for administering the CAHSEE it self.” I mean, sure, schools don’t have to make copies of all the materials, but, again, schools aren’t given anything to help pay for the staff who would otherwise be doing other things during the test. The cost of all this is simply absorbed into how each school conducts business. Make sense? Let me know if you need anything else! Thanks, Lisa!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 17:02:21 +0000

so i have a question for a report I am doing…
Do california schools have to pay for extra CAHSEE classes?
after a student fails to pass the CAHSEE the school is required to help the student pass the next year, although the state pays for administering the CAHSEE it self, does the school have to pay for the extra CAHSEE classes?