Revised 10/2003

Policy for taking California High School Exit Exam

All students must pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to qualify them to receive high school diploma from a California public school beginning with the graduating class of 2006. A recently passed state law no longer allows 9th graders to take the High School Exit Exam. Students in tenth grade who do not pass one or more of the exam sections will have more opportunities in 11th and 12th grade to pass those failed sections in order to receive their diploma.

Once a student passes both sections of the exam, he/she will receive a diploma upon the completion of the school’s graduation course requirements. The passing of the exam does not automatically guarantee a high school diploma, but not passing both sections of the exam does mean a diploma cannot be issued, even if the course requirements have been met.