Dear Editor,
In deciding what to with the graduates that do not pass the
CAHSEE I hope the board can come up with a decision that not only
upholds the integrity of why the CAHSEE was put into place but also
allows students who have worked extremely hard for four years to
receive recognition.
Dear Editor,
In deciding what to with the graduates that do not pass the CAHSEE I hope the board can come up with a decision that not only upholds the integrity of why the CAHSEE was put into place but also allows students who have worked extremely hard for four years to receive recognition.
I think one of the possible solutions could be working closely with Gavilan College. State law allows community colleges to confer certificates of high school proficiency to students whom they believe are proficient.
Students that did not receive diplomas could be referred to Gavilan College and receive extra training in English and Math to better prepare them when they enter college in less than one year as well as confer a certificate of high school proficiency to these students up completion of whatever coursework GUSD and Gavilan College deems appropriate.
These certificates (or diplomas) are not bound by the CAHSEE laws. I am not by any means trying to find a loophole for students but believe that there are students in California who have not (and won’t) pass the CAHSEE and therefore will not receive a diploma but are very bright students.
The reasons they are not passing could vary from lack of preparation or lack of adequate knowledge of the English language to a student who is just very bad at taking tests. These students can still be successful at the college level but may not get the chance to do so without a high school diploma.
I do believe that these students should be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. Students that do not receive a diploma still have the opportunity to take classes at any community college in the state.
Once they earn enough units to transfer to a 4-year university their high school records will no longer be taken into consideration when deciding whether they will be admitted or not. So, it is possible for anyone, high school graduate or not, to continue their education and eventually graduate from college.
One last thing that the GUSD board needs to take into consideration: GUSD students who are in danger of not receiving a diploma also have the option of transferring to a private school. Private schools are not bound by the CAHSEE law.
Tom Hernandez, Gilroy
