Credit: Lillian Mongeau/EdSource Today

Carol Liu

Credit: Lillian Mongeau/EdSource Today

Carol Liu

The California High School Go out Exam may be suspended immediately, peradventure letting off the hook thousands of seniors who demand to pass it to graduate this year, under a bill passed today by a legislative committee.

The Assembly Pedagogy Commission approved the nib, SB 172, to suspend the requirement that students pass the exit exam starting with the Class of 2015. Ane member, Assemblywoman Young Kim, R-Fullerton, abstained.

The vast majority of seniors already completed the exam to graduate this past school year. State constabulary started requiring students to pass the exit exam, which has English language arts and math sections, to graduate from loftier school starting with the Form of 2006.

Before this year, a previous version of the bill stated that the exit examination should exist suspended for 3 years starting in 2016-17 because the test is based on the California Land Standards, which are no longer taught in schools. The suspension time would give state officials fourth dimension to figure out future graduation requirements based on the Common Cadre standards, at present used in classrooms.

But state lawmakers after learned that the contract with the exam'due south testing visitor, Educational Testing Service, expired after the May examination. The California Department of Education canceled the July administration of the exit test, also known as CAHSEE.

About 5,000 seniors, who had yet to pass the test, would take been eligible to attempt again this month – possibly a final-ditch risk to graduate in 2015.

After the contract expired, legislative staff recommended that the committee suspend the test for three years starting in 2014-15.

"The test is no longer bachelor for class of 2022 test takers who failed the May administration and cannot retake information technology," a bill analysis stated. "(The) intent, and then, is to suspend the CAHSEE requirement starting time with those members of the form of 2022 who accept non passed it."

The bill'southward author, Sen. Carol Liu, D-La Canada Flintridge,supported the alter, saying it "provides relief to the Form of 2015."

The legislative analysis listed 29 bill supporters, including Land Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, who sponsored the bill, besides as the California School Boards Association and the California Teachers Association.

"It does not make sense to continue to requite an exam based on one-time standards," said Keric Ashley, deputy superintendent of the California Department of Pedagogy. "Information technology's time to movement on and look at other options."

Ii of those who initially were listed equally opposing the bill changed their minds.

Liz Guillen, director of legislative and community affairs for Public Advocates, told the committee that her arrangement at first opposed the bill because staff members were getting calls regarding the lack of clarity about what would happen to the Class of 2015. Only Public Advocates now supports the bill considering of the change.

Kim, who had concerns about the bill, said she decided to abjure because she was "torn" near the test'southward suspension.

"I believe we should take a minimum skills test before they graduate," Kim said.

Doug McRae, a retired educational measurement specialist, said he idea the suspension was premature before a determination is fabricated about the go out exam'southward future. He was opposed to the original version of the bill and remains then.

The neb calls for the superintendent of public instruction to grade an advisory panel to make recommendations about the continuation of an exit exam or "alternative pathways" for graduation. A report to the Country Lath of Instruction would exist due March ane.

For the Class of 2014, 97 percent of all students passed the examination to graduate, co-ordinate to a November 2022 report cited in the legislative analysis.

Many students, who neglect the exam after multiple attempts, frequently are missing class credits and would not graduate anyhow, educators take said.

During high school, students accept 8 opportunities to take the exit examination, starting in 10th class. The math portion is based on Algebra i and the English section is based on 10th-grade standards.

The bill passed the Senate on June ane. The next footstep is the Assembly Appropriations Commission.

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