High School Testing
Tests, tests, tests --- We all grumble about tests. But they do have their advantages and whether we like them or not, they are here to stay. Some good points to consider before the grumbling begins:
- Studying for final exams helps you to put everything you are learning into perspective.
- Learning to take a test is an important skill to acquire whether you are going to college or into the job market after high school. Did you know that many different kinds of occupations require testing during the application process?
- How our students do on tests lets us know whether we are doing our job as educators.
- Standardized tests are one tool that can be used to tell us how well you are doing compared to what the State of California expects and helps us tailor a learning plan based on your needs.
Scroll down this page for more information our high school testing requirements:
Placement Tests
All incoming high school students will take a short placement test. The test will cover reading comprehension, writing, and math. The placement test enables the student’s teacher to select curriculum that is appropriate to the student’s learning abilities and aids the student, parent, and teacher in setting up the Personalized Learning plan.
The placement tests will be administered by the Independent Study Teacher during the first appointment with the student. The tests are completed prior to establishing the course schedule or ordering any materials.
The results of the placement assessment along with the student’s transcripts will be used to place students in the correct courses and select materials that will be compatible with the student’s learning abilities and needs.
Algebra 1 Test
All students enrolled in Algebra I will take the BASIS @ FAME Algebra I final at the end of the course. The exams are administered by the Independent Study Teachers during a regularly scheduled visit with the student or at a mutually convenient time. The exam will be distributed by school administrators in May and must be completed before the end of the school year.
BASIS @ FAME Assessments
We have found that in order to get a clear picture of a student’s learning abilities we need to monitor progress throughout the school year. BASIS @ FAME has adopted alternative assessments developed by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) that will help us better pinpoint our student’s learning. These assessments are administered in the fall and winter for students in grades three through ten. Parents will receive notification regarding the testing schedules from the Independent Study Teacher.
CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam)
The primary purpose of the CAHSEE is to ensure that pupils who graduate from public high schools have achieved competency in reading, writing, and mathematics. Beginning with the 2005-2006 school-year, no student will receive a public high school diploma without having passed the exam, as well as having met the school’s requirements for graduation. Students take the exam for the first time in the spring of their 10th grade year. Students in grades 11 and 12 who have not yet passed one or both sections of the CAHSEE will continue to take the test until they do so.
The test has two parts, English-Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. The test is aligned with the California content standards in English-Language Arts through grade 10. The reading portion of the ELA section includes vocabulary, decoding, comprehension, and analysis of information within a literary text. The writing portion of the ELA test covers writing strategies, applications, and grammar, spelling and punctuation. The Mathematics section addresses California content standards through grade 9 including Algebra I. The math section includes statistics, data analysis and probability, number sense, measurement and geometry, and Algebra. Students are required to pass both sections of the exam in order to receive a high school diploma. Passing the exam is in addition to completing the course and credit requirements set forth by BASIS @ FAME for graduation.
Our examination schedules will be set yearly based on the schedule set by the California Department of Education. Students and parents will be notified by our Testing Coordinator of testing times and locations as the exam date draws near.
Study guides are available for 10th grade students. These will be distributed in the fall when they are received from the California Department of Education. For more information on the CAHSEE visit the following website: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/
In the event that a student does not pass one or more section, the Independent Study Teacher will work with the student/parent to develop a remediation plan designed to help the student target the specific academic skills required to pass the exam.
Students who do not pass the CAHSEE before the end of the 12th grade, please click on the following:
Notice for Parent/Guardians and Pupils: student eligibility and assistance in preparing for the California High School Exit Exam after Grade 12. (pdf)
Additional Resources:
- Frequently Asked Questions PDF
- English/Language Arts Test Blueprints PDF
- Mathematics Test Blueprints PDF
- October 2005 Released Test Questions English/Language Arts PDF
- October 2005 Released Test Questions Mathematics PDF
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STAR
All students in grade 2-11 are required to take the California state standardized tests. These tests typically are administered in April/May. Results of these test help schools monitor student achievement and provide useful information that enables them to provide better guidance and support to their students. For more information on the STAR program please see the following website: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/. Students and parents will be notified by our Testing Coordinator of test dates and locations as they are set.
PSAT
The Preliminary SAT test is administered in October each year. This test is designed as a practice test for the SAT. All college bound 10th and 11th grade students are encouraged to take the exam. Information regarding the test date, time, and location will be distributed in September of each school year. For more information regarding the PSAT please go to: www.collegeboard.com, or, contact our Academic Counselor.
SAT and ACT
BASIS @ FAME does not administer these tests. These exams are administered at locations through the Bay Area by the College Board. Students register online to take these tests. Please see the following website for more information: www.collegeboard.com. Click here (PDF) for more information on the SAT and ACT.
AP Exams
BASIS @ FAME offers AP classes through several online course providers. In order to weight the grade on the student’s transcript, the course must be taken through one of these providers and receive a final grade for the course. BASIS @ FAME does not offer the AP exams. AP tests can be taken at a high school closest to the student. It is the student’s/parent’s responsibility to contact their local school and make arrangements to take the AP exams
CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Exam)
The California High School Proficiency Exam is administered by the California Department of Education. It is a voluntary exam that assesses proficiency in the basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills taught in public schools. The test is given in English only.
A student’s success or failure on the exam will not affect enrollment in school. If a student passes the exam, the student and parent will decide whether the student completes his or her high school program. Passing the CHSPE does not exempt a student from attending high school unless the student is at least 16 years old and has verified parent/guardian permission to stop attending school.
Eligible persons who pass the CHSPE are awarded a Certificate of Proficiency by the State Board of Education. California Law requires that the Certificate of Proficiency be equivalent to a high school diploma and indicates that institutions that require a high school diploma must accept the Certificate of Proficiency. However, the certificate is not equivalent to completing all course work required for a regular high school diploma. If the student is planning to continue his/her studies at a college or university it is recommended that the student contact the admissions office to determine whether or not the CAHSPE certificate will be accepted. For more information please see the following website: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sp/.
GED (General Education Development)
BASIS @ FAME does not offer a GED program. A student may not be enrolled for the specific purpose of preparing for the GED exam or use GED preparation materials as their high school curriculum.
The GED is an exam that an individual may take in the event that a high school diploma is not received. By passing the exam the individual shows proficiency in the basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills taught in public high schools. An individual is eligible to take the GED test if they are a resident of California and meet certain criteria.
Accommodations are available for examinees with a specific learning disability, an emotional disability, an attention deficit disorder, or a physical disability.
GED preparation materials are available at most local bookstores and public libraries. Many of the testing centers have preparation programs, and most adult schools in California offer GED preparation classes. For more information please go to the following website: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/gd/.
