School board may stage public meetings to decide what to do with
students who fail CAHSEE
Gilroy – The end of the school year is inching closer but seniors still don’t know what will happen if they fail to pass the California High School Exit Exam.
The state has made it clear that students who don’t pass the basic skills English and math exam won’t receive their diploma, but whether they will still be able to participate in graduation ceremonies and/or earn a special certificate for completing all coursework, is up to local school districts.
The Gilroy Unified School District board met a few weeks ago to discuss the options and will talk about the issue again at a January board meeting. About 178 seniors at Gilroy and Mt. Madonna high schools still need to pass the CAHSEE, according to the numbers presented at an October board meeting.
Trustees Javier Aguirre, Jim Rogers, Dave McRae and Pat Midtgaard, all said they haven’t decided which way they will sway in the debate.
“I honestly don’t have an opinion yet,” said Rogers. “I hope we can certainly reduce the numbers. I’m really kind of waiting to see what the possible options are.”
McRae said he understands both sides of the debate but he wants to wait for input from the public and local businesses before making a commitment one way or the other.
On one hand, students may not have passed the CAHSEE but they still managed to earn all required credits. On the other hand, allowing students who failed the test to don a cap and gown, may be a slap in the face to those who worked hard to pass, he said.
McRae added that he wants to communicate with local businesses and find out what they need from their graduates and if they have a “strong feeling one way or the other.”
Aguirre said he’s looking forward to hearing from Gilroy High School Principal James Maxwell and local teachers. The new school board member thinks the board should approach the issue from the perspective of students and consider the fact that college students often walk in the graduation ceremony even though they haven’t completed their thesis or dissertation.
Also, if school officials talked about all the disadvantages of not earning a high school diploma, maybe more students would pass, said Aguirre.
School Board President Midtgaard said the board will consider setting up forums at various sites in order to receive public feedback.
“This is at the top of our list for the beginning of the new year,” she said.
In November, the San Benito High School District board unanimously approved a new policy allowing students who have completed all required courses but have yet to pass the CAHSEE to participate in the high school graduation.
The students will receive a special certificate but no diploma.
Six years ago, the state approved legislation requiring seniors to pass the exit exam in exchange for a diploma. But because such a high number of student were failing the test, the California Department of Education placed the requirement on hold.
This year’s senior class will be the first required to pass the exam.
