By Sakeyla Spencer

Staff Reporter

            With less than one week remaining until the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE), sophomore teachers are preparing students for March 13-14 test.

             The CAHSEE, a basic skills test in English and math is, one of the requirements to earn a high school diploma in California public schools.

            If students do not pass the CAHSEE, they will not receive a high school diploma, but can receive a certificate of completion.

            Assistant Principal Rashmi Ahuja, coordinator of CASHEE, hopes that students do a good job and the percentage of students passing increases.

            “The government looks at if you pass or not,” Ahuja said. “They look at the school to see if they will receive a 95 percent or better.”

            The percentage of students who passé was 84 percent in English and math at Tracy High last year.

            CASHEE testing will take place in all three gyms and in D-210 at 8 a.m.

            If students do not pass the first time they take the test, they will be able to retake it as juniors and seniors and can also take a remediation course to help them.

            Sophomore students Carly Avial and Tia Ponton have been prepared themselves for the big test.

            Ponton is not doing anything special; she is just trying to remember basic things she has learned over the past years, especially in math.

            “I need to take my time,” Ponton said. “I just need to remember that it is my ticket out of high school.”

            Ponton is positive that she will pass the CAHSEE; if not, she will study harder for the next one.

            Avila said tests like this are nerve-racking.

            Avila is focused and prepared for the CAHSEE.

            “It means a lot,” she said.

 She agrees with Ponton that it is her ticket out of high school.

            Avial is good at both English and writing, which makes her confident in that subject, but feels math is not her strength.

            “I’m alright at math,” she said. “I’m a little nervous, but I think that I will do well on it.”

            Just like Ponton, if Avila does not pass the CAHSEE she will study harder so that she can pass in the future.

             English teachers Stacey Myers and Regina Johosky are trying to cram as much knowledge as possible into students’ heads.

            In Myers’ classroom, she is doing some review.

            “I feel like some of the things we do in class should help them,” she said.

            Myers offers help to students after school on Thursday

“We practice in a work booklet,” Myers said

            Myers advice to students, “Take your time, read the questions carefully, and just relax.”

She is confident that her sophomores will do well.

            Johosky is teaching/preparing students in the same way.

            “We have done some standard reviews in the Holt Literature book which targets specific standards for the CAHSEE. We have also done a few class writing prompts,” Johosky said.

            On March 6-7 students in Johoskys class took a practice quiz to give them a feel of what the exam will be like.

            Johosky worries about the students who do not take the exam seriously; however, she is not worried about the students who take it seriously.

             For more information, students can check the state website atwww.cde.gov.com .

            “They have a lot of information about the exam, samples of writing, and helpful resources,” Johosky said