High School Proficiency Exam
This test measures the proficiency of students in high school and serves as the state’s exit exam for reading and writing. Students in the class of 2012 must pass this assessment or a state-approved alternative in reading and writing in order to be eligible to graduate.
Students in the classes of 2012 must also pass the math HSPE, earn two high school math credits after 10th grade, pass the math end-of-course exam, OR complete an approved state alternative.
Students in the class of 2013 and 2014 must pass reading, writing, and one math end-of-course exam in order to graduate.
End-of-Course (EOC) Exams
Beginning in spring 2011, students began taking end-of-course math exams in Algebra 1 or Geometry. The state is moving to end-of-course exams so students can be tested on the knowledge and skills they’ve gained from a specific course rather than on a comprehensive test like the HSPE which assesses overall knowledge. In spring 2012, students will be offered an end-of-course exam in biology.
June 2012 score reporting
Score reports for students in grades 10-12 who took the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) this spring will be mailed to families by June 10. Upon graduation, students who met standard in reading, writing and math will receive a Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA) or a Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA) for students receiving special education services.
August 2012 testing: Register June 1 through June 24
Reading and Writing
Students who were in grades 10, 11, or 12 during the 2011-12 school year are eligible to take one or both of the content area tests (Reading or Writing) of the August 2012 HSPE. Students who did not meet standard, did not participate in testing, or who have transferred from out of state may participate in August testing. Students who were in grade 9 this year, private school students, and home-based students are not eligible for August testing.
Special education students who take the regular High School HSPE or the HSPE-Basic may participate in August testing. Special education students who take the WAAS-DAPE or WAAS portfolio may not participate in August testing, but will have testing opportunities in November.
Registration for the August HSPE will be June 1-June 24, 2012. Students will need to reference their State Student Identification Number (SSID) to register. This number may be found in the upper right corner of the HSPE score report. Students taking the writing assessment must report both days.
Testing schedule
| Subject |
Day |
Date |
Time |
| Writing, Session 1 (students must attend both days of the Writing assessment to receive a score.) |
Tuesday |
August 14 |
8:30-3:00 |
| Writing, Session 2 (students must attend both days of the Writing assessment to receive a score.) |
Wednesday |
August 15 |
8:30-3:00 |
| Reading |
Thursday |
August 16 |
8:30-3:00 |
Science and Math
The state legislature has passed House Bill 1410 which delays the science assessment graduation requirement until the class of 2015. If the governor signs HB1410 into law, current 9th and 10th graders in the classes of 2013 and 2014 are not required to pass a state science exam to be eligible for a diploma. Students in those classes must pass the reading and writing HSPE and one math end-of-course exam, or state-approved alternative.
Beginning with the class of 2015, students will be required to pass the reading and writing HSPE, two end-of-course exams in Algebra 1 and Geometry, and an end-of-course exam in biology.
HSPE and EOC score reports
Questions?
For additional information, contact Patty Miller at 425-837-7007