Preparing for the High School Exit Examination HSEE

1
Preparing for the High School Exit
Examination(HSEE)

• Paul Meyers, Consultant
• California Department of Education

2
High School Exit Exam (HSEE) Senate Bill 2x,
1999

• Requires students to demonstrate competency in
  reading, writing, and mathematics in order to
  receive a California high school diploma
• Repealed the high school proficiency requirement
  as of January 1, 2000
• Student must pass this test to get a California
  public high school diploma.
• Schools must provide each and every student the
  opportunity to learn the content in the test.

3
Legal Implications

• District responsibility and liability
• Notify Parents
• Teach to Standards
• Provide Interventions
• Denial of Constitutional Right
• No differential standards - Diploma considered a
  Property Right

4
Time Line for the HSEE Test

• Voluntary for 9th graders
• Language Arts March 7, 2001
  (YRS May 17, 2001)
• Math March 13, 2001
  (YRS May 24, 2001)
• All 10th grades take the exam Spring, 2002
• Interventions and repeat exams in summer, fall
• 12th grader must pass in 2003-04 to receive
  diploma
• Proposed urgency legislation, SB 84, failed to
  get out of committee

5
Test Content is Standards-based

• Math grade 6 (7.5) grade 7 (77.5) Algebra 1
  standards (15)
• Algebra reduced from 26 to 12 questions
• Eliminated quadratic equations/functions
• Reading/LA 9th 10th standards
• 70 reading 30 writing
• Writing sample 2 out of 5 standards
• Teacher guides available
• Field test report - HumRRO

6
Test Construct

• Math (may be passed separately)
• 80 multiple choice questions (plus 12 field
  questions)
• 2 parts approximately 2 hours each
• Language Arts
• 82 MC questions (plus 12 field questions) and 2
  writing samples
• 2 parts approximately 2.5 hours each
• Test administration guidelines will accompany
  test booklets (arrive 2/23)
• Administered in English
• English language learners may defer up to 24
  months from enrollment or 6 months of instruction
  (determined by district)

7
Accommodations

• Untimed (not unlimited) for all students
• Special education Pupils with disabilities
  shall take the HSEE with those accommodations for
  testing delineated in the pupils IEP or 504 plan
  that do not alter what the test measures.
  (Proposed Title 5 Regulations, p. 8)
• ELL Use of a word-only primary-language-to-Englis
  h glossary testing in separate room,
  individually, or small group extended time
• Regulations are available at
• http//www.cde.ca.gov/statetests/hsee/hsee.html

8
The Opportunity to Learn

• Curriculum and Instruction Implications
• Aligning standards with curriculum, courses, and
  texts
• Teacher credentialing
• Personnel assignments (master schedule,
  credentials, substitutes)
• Intervention and Remediation Strategies
• No additional funds available
• Electives for supplemental instruction EC 60853
  (b)
• Summer school
• 9th grade class size reduction

9
The Opportunity to Learn

• Articulation strategies with middle school
  especially in math
• Promotion-retention policies consider alignment
  to HSEE timeline and to the California content
  standards
• Grade classification legal definition of a 10th
  grader

10
Impact on Students and Programs

• Transfer students and transcript analysis
• Within district
• Out of district
• Out of state
• Out of country
• Effect on alternative education
• Continuation and community schools
• Independent study
• Home school
• On-line courses
• Charter schools
• Adult education programs

11
Compliance Strategies

• Indicate HSEE attempts (date and pass/fail) on
  transcripts
• Evidence of parent notification
• include in student handbook
• HSEE content, format, timeline
• transfer students
• Attendance records at intervention/remediation
  opportunities
• Parent waiver of diploma

12
Action Plans Partial Checklist

• Utilize CDE resources http//www.cde.ca.gov/state
  tests/hsee/hsee.html
• Notify and inform parents, students, staff and
  community
• Identify at-risk students now and begin
  interventions
• Identify testing logistics location, untimed
  format, proctors, security
• Create documentation systems before exam
• Identify alternatives to diploma certificate
  programs, GED, CHSPE, Community College