Alternatives to the CAHSEE were considered

February 2006
While many feel that the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is a good measure of what students should know to graduate from high school, others believe that alternatives should be provided. Policymakers and educators in California and other states have examined a variety of alternatives. While these have been largely ruled out for California in 2006, they provide a perspective on what was considered.

Some alternatives use different methodologies to measure achievement on the assumption that for some students the test format itself is the obstacle. Many of those who are in favor of alternatives emphasize that such approaches should be universal rather than aimed at specific groups of students. Some of these universal approaches include portfolios of student work; a state-developed alternative performance assessment; a compilation of measures, such as grades, attendance, and teacher recommendations; substituting existing assessments, such as college entrance (SAT) or Advanced Placement exams; making the exit exam into end-of-course English and math exams; or offering the content in an intensive summer school course.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell’s office developed a chart of a large number of alternatives, including some of the ones mentioned above. The chart outlines the advantages and disadvantages of these alternatives for California. Ultimately, O’Connell rejected all of these options.

Download chart of considered CAHSEE alternatives. (PDF 367 KB)
This PDF contains

• Introductory letter from Superintendent O'Connell
• Options for students not passing the CAHSEE exam
• Compendium of Considered Alternatives to CAHSEE chart

For a more in-depth look at the CAHSEE, see:

The California High School Exit Exam Gets Real