By Lily Hyerin Lee, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, Grade 10
May 23, 2011
On March 8 and 9, the sophomores at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies took the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), a required standardized test that determines whether a student is eligible to graduate or not. The results have been recently presented with a 99% passing rate from the 240 students in the grade level; 56 students had a perfect score in ELA, 76 students had a perfect score in Math, and 36 students had perfect scores on both ELA and Math. These scores give an indication of the rudimentary level of the exam and that almost everyone was eligible to receive a diploma.
“Even last year, only a couple people didn’t pass the CAHSEE. The test was way too easy,” Suji Kim, a junior at LACES, said. While this test serves an important purpose because it sets a standard for the high school graduate, it seems that standard is not very high. Accordingly, the test-takers, primarily sophomores, do not take this test seriously.
“The CAHSEE is literally a joke. [You guys] should feel insulted based on what the exam is testing you about because you guys learn much more and are definitely capable of passing without actually trying,” Ms. Klimke, an AP World History teacher, claimed.
Due to the claim that this test does not challenge students’ knowledge effectively, the question then arises of whether or not this exit exam is a legitimate way to determine who should receive a diploma.
There are other tests that the sophomores have to worry about such as Advanced Placement (AP exams) and preparation for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests.
“We are striving to have a 100% pass rate for the sophomores every year,” Dr. Kim, the LACES principal, states. While there are still a very low number of students who do not pass the CAHSEE, they are given two more chances in their junior and senior years before graduation. The argument being brought up by both students and teachers is that the CAHSEE is a flawed assessment of a student’s level of education.
