California High School Exit Exam Status
Author: Rick Phelan
Published: 07.29.15
The California High School Exit Exam is in “limbo” for the 2015-16 school year. School leaders wonder if the mandated California proficiency test that has been in place for the last 10 years will still be a requirement. Uncertainty is present because the California Legislature is currently deliberating over a bill that would suspend administration of the high school exit examination for the next three years. Senate Bill 172 (SB 172) removes the high school exit examination as a condition of graduation from high school for each pupil completing grade 12, for the 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18 school years.
History of the Bill
Senator Carol Liu introduced SB 172 on February 5, 2015. It was discussed in Senate committees and eventually passed a Senate vote on June 1, 2015. From there, it went on to the Assembly Education Committee for consideration. The Assembly Education Committee amended the bill on July 9. The amended version of SB 172 is now in the Assembly Appropriations committee waiting for the committee to return from their summer recess on August 17.
Actions Needed for Passage
In order for SB 172 to become enacted as law the following actions must occur:
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Action
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Deadline
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- Passage by the Assembly Appropriations Committee
- Passage by the Full Assembly
- Passage by the Full Senate
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All actions need to take place by Sept 11.
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- Approval by Governor Brown
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The governor must sign SB 172 by Oct 11.
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If SB 172 Passes
If SB 172 is enacted high school students will be exempt from taking the CAHSEE for the next three school years (2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18). In addition, those students who did not graduate from high school in 2014-15 because they did not pass the CAHSEE, can return to their high schools after January 1, 2016 and request a diploma.
If SB 172 Does NOT Pass
If SB 172 does not pass, the CAHSEE will remain in place as it has in past years. Most likely, the earliest districts will have the opportunity to administer the 2015-16 CAHSEE will be in November. Specifics will need to be coordinated by the California Department of Education in conjunction with Educational Testing Services.
CAHSEE Information and Resources
California Department of Education Website
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