|
|
|
|
Diocese of Sacramento |
High
School Exit Exam
There has been much in the news about the California State High School Exit Exam (HSEE). As the first testing dates approach (March 7 and March 13) parents and teachers may have some questions about the HSEE and how this exam applies to Catholic high schools.
First of all, it is important to remember that this is a public school test. Only students attending government-run schools are permitted to take this exam. Catholic high school students are not permitted to take this exam.
Not that we particularly want to take this exam.
The purpose of the HSEE is to "ensure that students who graduate from a (public) high school can demonstrate competency in the content standards for reading, writing, and mathematics." It is not an admissions test to college. It is a test to show that students have achieved minimum standards in two curricular areas, Math and English/Language Arts. Public school students will be required to pass this exam before being given a high school diploma. The content of the mathematics part of the exam is primarily algebra. The language arts section correlates with the 9th and 10th grade State Language Arts Standards. There is no science, history, or social science in the exam as it currently exists.
We have every confidence that our students have achieved, and exceeded, these minimal standards. Over 99% of our graduating seniors go on to a two- or four-year college or university. Our standards are rigorous and our expectations are high. An exam that tests minimum standards is not appropriate for our students.
Parents should note that 1) there is no college scholarship money attached to this exit exam, and 2) it is not used in college admissions.
For further information about the HSEE, please go to the official CA Department of Education website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/statetests/hsee/hsee.html.
You can also download an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file about the High School Exit Exams here.
"The
more the members of the educational community develop a real
willingness to collaborate among themselves, the more
fruitful their work will be. Achieving the educational aims
of the school should be an equal priority for teachers,
students and families alike, each one according to his or
her own role, always in the Gospel spirit of freedom and
love." The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic
School, #39, The Congregation for Catholic Education,
Rome, 1988