California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE): IMPACT ON STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATES, A NON-PROFIT LAW CENTER, WILL KEEP ALL INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW *** Please note that Disability Rights Advocates is not able to assist people with individual IEP or Section 504 Plan issues. Date: ___________________ Student Name: ________________________________ Age: ____________ Anticipated graduation year: ___________________________ Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Address, Phone Number, E-Mail and Fax Number: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Name and location of School Student is Currently Attending, Including Name of School District: ____________________________________________________________________________ Type of disability: __________________________________________________________ Any other disability or problems: ______________________________________________ When has the student taken the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)? If the student has taken the CAHSEE more than once, please indicate all dates she/he has taken it. If the student has not yet taken the CAHSEE, when will she/he have to take the Exam? If the student has taken the CAHSEE, did he or she receive a passing score on the English Language or Mathematics portion of the test? If yes, when? Was the score considered “invalid” due a test “modification”? If yes, did you receive any information about a “waiver”? What information, if any, did you/the student receive about the availability of accommodations on the CAHSEE? Who did you/the student receive such information from? What accommodations are listed in the student’s IEP/504 plan for standardized testing? What, if any, accommodations are listed in the student’s IEP/504 plan specifically for the CAHSEE? Was the issue of accommodations on the CAHSEE addressed at the student’s last IEP meeting? What were the results of the discussion? Please list any accommodations used by the student on the CAHSEE(s) that she/he took. What, if any, information did you/your student receive about an “alternate assessment” to the CAHSEE (an assessment which is not a standardized test)? Do you think the student would be better able to demonstrate his or her knowledge using alternate assessment tools (e.g. portfolios of work done over a period of time projects, oral presentations, etc.) than through a standardized test such as the CAHSEE? Was the issue of an alternate assessment to the CAHSEE addressed at your child’s last IEP/504 meeting? Please explain. What, if anything, have administrators or teachers at your school/school district done to prepare students with learning disabilities for the CAHSEE? Specifically, do you believe that your child has received instruction and textbooks covering the material on the Exam? Has your child taken Algebra, received instruction on probability and statistics, etc.? Has your student received any outside instruction (i.e. not from the school/school district) to prepare for the CAHSEE (online training materials, textbooks, tutoring…etc.) Did you/your student pay for such instruction? Has the CAHSEE caused your student to experience any emotional distress? If so, how much? Has the CAHSEE caused any change in your student’s participation in school activities? What would you/the student do if she/he cannot graduate from high school in California because she/he cannot pass one or both parts of the CAHSEE? Would you be willing to submit a statement to the court about the student’s experience with respect to the CAHSEE? Please write any additional comments you have (feel free to use additional sheets). Please return to: Wesley Yee Disability Rights Advocates 2001 Center Street Berkeley, CA 94704-1204 Tel: 510.665.8644 Fax: 510.665.8511 Tty: 510.665.8716 1 Confidential Questionnaire