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Is Cahsee A Waste Of Time, Money And Effort?

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In order to improve educational quality in California, the California Department of Education created an exit exam. Beginning with the class of 2006, all students were required to pass the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE). This exam added an additional barrier for students to graduate from high school. After looking at both sides of this exam, positive and negative, my conclusion is that CAHSEE is a waste of time, money and effort. Even though all students are required to pass a specific number of classes necessary for graduation, California still spends a large amount of money on administering this test. This money could be spent more efficiently: supporting kids with disabilities, low-income families, and English learners. After all, a larger percentage of these students do not pass CAHSEE. These funds could instead be used to operate afterschool programs that have been cut due to a lack of funding. How our children perform in the class room is a better indicator of whether or not they should graduate high school.
Former State Superintendent Jack O’Connell authored the legislation that created the exit exam when he was a state senator in 1999. The purpose of this exam as stated by the California Department of Education is “to identify students who are not developing skills that are essential for life after high school.” This determines if students’ knowledge and skills are relative to entry-level employment are adequate. Students are tested on

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