Principal’s Message regarding California Proficiency Program (CHSPE Phase-Out)

Dear CAL PREP Students, Faculty, and Community,

I am reaching out to you today to discuss significant changes concerning the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) and its phase-out, along with the introduction of the California Proficiency Program (CPP).

For years, the CHSPE has served as a pivotal assessment, enabling students to demonstrate mastery of basic high school-level skills. Those who passed were awarded a Certificate of Proficiency, which holds the same weight as a high school diploma in California. This certification provided our students the flexibility to either pursue higher education early or to continue their high school journey.

While passing the CHSPE did not mandate an early high school exit, it presented an option. Notably, the CHSPE was integral for CAL PREP students, facilitating their path to enrolling in colleges and smoothly transitioning to four-year universities as juniors upon graduation from our high school program.

The year 2023 marked the end of the CHSPE. In an effort to adapt to modern needs, the California Board of Education has transitioned to a collaboration with the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) to offer online testing. This move allows for the convenience of at-home exams. CPP-HiSET has adopted this framework, selecting two English and one Mathematics exam to continue the tradition of granting high school proficiency to our students.

Our summer of 2024 saw CAL PREP students embracing the CPP with open arms, and I am proud to announce that the majority passed, achieving their high school proficiency.

CAL PREP’s commitment to excellence is unwavering. We have worked with over 200 students to date, and I am thrilled to report that 100% have gone on to attend the top 50 universities in the U.S., with 75% being accepted into prestigious institutions like UC Berkeley and UCLA. As we transition to CPP, we remain steadfast in our mission to help our students reach their academic aspirations, wherever they may be in the world.

Here are the critical adjustments to the CPP’s introduction:

CPP registration now mandates that examinees are enrolled in a California High School, necessitating transcript submissions to verify eligibility.

Unlike the CHSPE, which required physical presence in Californian testing centers, CPP offers the flexibility of online examinations. Students can choose between at-home online proctored tests or on-site testing centers and may opt to take all three exams in one sitting or separately. The completion and passing of all tests culminate in the designation of a graduation date.

The CPP allows up to three attempts per test annually. A student who does not pass a test may retake it up to two additional times within the same year. Failing thrice necessitates waiting until the subsequent year for another attempt.

It is essential for our existing CAL PREP students to acknowledge the CHSPE’s phase-out and the integration of CPP into our Education Planning Sessions.

CAL PREP’s history is rich with exceptional success rates, and we are committed to perpetuating this legacy. Remember, no matter where you are, you are a part of the CAL PREP family, and we are here to support your journey to excellence.

Sincerely,

Hannah Jung
CAL-EDU Principal