Golden State Exams
The Golden State Exams (GSEs) are a family of exams that were administered to qualifying high achieving students in California during the mid 1980s through the early 2000s. The GSEs were authorized in 1983 by Senate Bill 813.[1] The first exams began being offered in 1987.[2] Those who performed well on the exams earned one of the following awards: Recognition, Honors, or High Honors. In 1996, the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma began being awarded to individuals whom received some type of award on six or more of the exams.[2] The exams were known for their rigorous nature.[1][3][4] The following is a timeline of when the various Golden State Exams began being offered:
- 1987 - Algebra GSE and Geometry GSE
- 1990 - Economics GSE and U.S. History GSE
- 1991 - Chemistry GSE and Biology GSE
- 1996 - Written Composition GSE
- 1997 - Government/Civics GSE
- 1999 - Second Year Spanish GSE and Physics GSE[2]
There was one year (1995) when the only state testing administered in California was that to the high achieving individuals that qualified for the Golden State Exams. In 1998, high school comprehensive exams in "High School Reading/Literature" and "High School Math" became available to all students and school districts under the GSE banner.[2] These two comprehensive exams were later integrated and absorbed into the California Standards Tests (CSTs).[3] In 2003, the GSE subject tests were discontinued due to budget cuts.[5]
References
- ^ a b Ravitch, Diane (2002). Brookings Papers on Education Policy: 2002. Washington D.C.: The Brookings Institution. p. 135. ISBN 0-8157-0269-8.
- ^ a b c d "Historic Overview of Testing in California". The Sun. September 12, 2004. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ^ a b "Analysis of the 2003-04 Budget Bill". Legislative Analyst's Office. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ^ "Golden State Examinations (GSE)". Educational Data Systems. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
- ^ "Education Budgets". California Department of Education. Retrieved July 13, 2014.