Exit exam tips for parents and where to look for help
Bee Metro Staff
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, October 31, 2005
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Here are some things parents can do to help their child succeed on
the California High School Exit Exam:
1. Schools are supposed to track which parts of the test
students are doing well on and which they're failing.
Talk to a counselor or teacher about your child's performance, so you
can make sure she is studying the right parts.
2. Every student is supposed to receive a CAHSEE study guide
published by the state.
If you don't have one, ask for a copy or download it from the
Department of Education Web site:
www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/resources.asp
3. Schools are supposed to provide extra help to juniors and
seniors who haven't passed the exam.
Contact the school to see when classes are offered and if your
child has been attending.
4. The exit exam is an untimed test.
Most students finish each part in about four hours, but all have
the right to work on the test for as long as they need during one school
day.
5. Seniors have three more chances to pass.
They may get two more chances this school year and one more next
school year. Or they may get three more chances before graduation at the
end of this year. It's up to the district, so ask.
6. Students learning English are entitled to hear the test
directions and ask questions about the directions in their own language.
They may consult translation glossaries if the glossaries only
translate words and do not define them. If your child is new to English,
ask if the test administrator will be able to explain the directions in
the child's their first language.
7. Students in special education can take the test with
modifications and accommodations described in their "individualized
education programs," or IEP.
Legal challenges have been mounted to try to remove the exit exam
requirement for students with disabilities. But until action is taken,
the exam remains a graduation requirement for all students.
Where to look for help
FREE SERVICES
California Department of Education
Web site:
www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/resources.asp
What you'll find: Free study guide, teacher guide, explanation of
scoring, practice questions
Educational Testing Service
Web site:
www.ets.org/cahsee/
What you'll find: Information for test administrators and scorers
University of California, Davis
Web site:
cahsee.ucdavis.edu
What you'll find: Information on a tutoring program developed by
the School University Partnership
EdSource
Web site:
edsource.org/pub_qa_hsee.cfm
What you'll find: Answers to common questions about the exam, with
information in English and Spanish
FOR SALE
American Book Co.
Web site:
www.cahsee.com/
What you'll find: Test preparation books and software for sale
Test Prep Review
Web site:
www.testprepreview.com/cahsee_practice.htm
What you'll find: Practice questions, study guide, online
self-assessment, flash cards for sale
Test Tools Inc.
Web site:
www.testtools.com
What you'll find: Test preparation software for sale
CAHSEE Success
Web site:
www.cahsee-success.com
What you'll find: A study guide for sale
Cliffs Notes
Web site:
www.cliffsnotes.com
What you'll find: Math and English study guides for sale
