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Testing is part of the high school
experience. At CKM, students take state-mandated high
school tests to ascertain their level of proficiency in
a variety of subject areas. In addition, those students
wishing to attend college begin taking college entry
exams to submit to colleges they wish to attend. To
learn more about CKM’s test results, go the
School Accountability Report Card or visit the
California Department of Education’s
DataQuest website to search for the most recent
information.
California Standards Tests (CST)
Every
public school in California is required to ascertain
student academic progress using the
California Standards Tests (CSTs). According to the
California Department of Education, “Content standards
were designed to encourage the highest achievement of
every student, by defining the knowledge, concepts, and
skills that students should acquire at each grade
level.” Visit the department’s website, to view the
California’s
content standards.
For high
school students, the following CSTs are administered
once a year in the spring:
- English-language arts (grades 9, 10, and 11)
- Mathematics (grades 9, 10, and 11)
- Science (grades 9, 10, and 11)
- History-social science (grades 10 and 11)
The CSTs
evaluate the level of a student’s knowledge in specific
subject areas based on content standards established by
the California Department of Education. Test scores
reveal the level of proficiency a student has achieved
in a particular subject area. Proficiency levels are:
- Advanced (A)
- Proficient (P)
- Basic (B)
- Below Basic (BB)
- Far Below Basic (FBB)
A school’s
goal is to have all students performing at proficient or
advanced in all subject areas—a goal required by the
federal No Child Left Behind (Title 1) Act.
California High School Exit
Examination (CAHSEE)
All public
school students are required to pass the
California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) to
earn a high school diploma. The CAHSEE consists of two
parts: English-language arts and mathematics.
All
students are required to take the CAHSEE for the first
time in tenth grade (in the spring). Students who do not
pass one or both parts of the exam in grade ten have up
to two opportunities in eleventh grade and at least three
and up to five opportunities in twelfth grade to retake
the part(s) of the exam not yet passed.
Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
In high
school, all freshmen are required to take the Physical
Fitness Test (PFT). The PFT is a comprehensive,
health-related physical fitness test to assist students
in establishing lifelong physical activity habits.
Testing typically occurs in spring.
California English Language
Development Test (CEDLT)
All public
schools in California are required to administer the
California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to
ascertain English language proficiency of (1) newly
enrolled students whose primary language is not English
and (2) English learners as an annual assessment. Annual
CELDT testing occurs in the fall.
California High School Proficiency
Exam (CHSPE)
For those
students who desire an accelerated path to college or
the work world, the
California High School Proficiency
Exam (CHSPE) may be a possible solution. The CHSPE
is a voluntary test that assesses proficiency in basic
reading, writing, and math skills and allows a student
to bypass the four-year high school experience. This
exam is offered outside of CKM. Students who are able to
pass are awarded a Certificate of Proficiency by the
California State Board of Education.
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude
Test (SAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
(NMSQT)
The
Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying
Test is a co-sponsored program of the College Board and
the
National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It is a
standardized test that provides firsthand practice for
the SAT Test and gives students a chance to enter
National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarship
programs. CKM typically offers freshman and juniors the
opportunity to take the PSAT during the fall semester of
each school year. All sophomores also take the test at
that time with the district funding all sophomore test
costs. For more information, visit the
PSAT page of the
College Board’s website.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
The
College Board’s Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is
three-hour exam that ascertains a student’s verbal and
mathematical reasoning. Many colleges and universities
use SAT scores as part of their admission decisions. For
more information about the SAT and upcoming test dates,
visit the
College Board website.
American College Testing (ACT)
American
College Testing administers the
ACT test to ascertain a
high school student’s ability and readiness to tackle
college-level coursework. The test covers English,
mathematics, reading, and science. An optional writing
test is available as well. Check the ACT website for
more information and upcoming test dates.
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