Fail? You don't march.



Graduation requirements strict, but fair

By Kelvin Wade | | May 21, 2008 16:15

At first glance, Monday's front page story in the Daily Republic, 'No pomp in these circumstances,' seems a bit harsh.

If you go to a local high school and have completed all the required credits but have not passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), you won't get to walk with your graduating class. The Fairfield-Suisun School District's policy is tougher than neighboring districts. But when you look into it, it's tough but fair.

I know walking with one's graduating class is a rite of passage. Wearing that cap and gown, sitting there with your friends with butterflies ricocheting in your stomach, with your mother crying out in the audience is standard fare for seniors in June.

Taking that walk to get your diploma while wondering just what you're going to do with your life is normal in a ceremony, which is both an ending and a beginning all rolled into one.

But to be honest, I wouldn't know what that's like. Following my junior year at Armijo High, I took the California High School Proficiency Exam, passed it and was done with high school. No cap, gown or fanfare -- just a notice in the mail and my high school experience was over.

It was just the way I wanted it at the time.

However, I do miss it now. And anyone who misses that opportunity will regret it. Being able to walk later in a different ceremony isn't remotely the same thing, so I can understand the sadness for students and family over not being able to walk with one's peers.

That's all the more reason students need to pass the CAHSEE.

If you don't complete all the requirements of graduation in the Fairfield-Suisun district, you don't get to walk and you know that going in. And while Benicia or Vacaville may do things differently, it's really irrelevant. In Nevada, you can legally do things that would get you arrested here.

Perhaps I'd have more sympathy if the test were more difficult. On the English portion of the CAHSEE, there are 72 multiple choice questions and a 2- 1Ú2 page essay. A student has to get 60 percent correct to pass. On the 80 problems on the eighth-grade-level math portion, a student has to answer 55 percent correctly.

Add to that the fact students are given eight chances to pass the exam over three years and that they only have to retake the portion that they didn't pass.

The bottom line is that more than 90 percent of students pass the test. I'm sad to say that I'm surprised so many pass.

Of course, there are those students who just don't do well on tests. But there are study groups and materials for the CAHSEE, and there are so many opportunities to pass it.

Walking with and graduating with one's class is something to be earned. The whole cap and gown ceremony is added incentive for high school students to pass the CAHSEE.

How is it fair to those who met all of the requirements to allow those who didn't to participate in the ceremony? It's not a matter of punishing people. It's more a reward for completing what is required of you.

In high school, we're preparing young people to face life as adults. Welcome to the real world. Peace.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

NOTES: My God, if you kids can't pass this test, not only should you not march with your class but you should be smacked upside the head. You can't pass 8th grade math, are you kidding me? You can probably mark the multiple choice answers randomly and pass this test. I mean, you're given...what...8 or 9 zillion chances to pass this thing? They do everything but flash the answers in front of your face during the test. The fact that 90 percent pass it tells me it's an easy test because I wouldn't think 90% of students would spell their name correctly on their tests. It would be different if you were required to pass junior level stuff and were given one try to pass it and you had to pass with a B, I'd have some compassion.

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