2003 GOLDEN STATE EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION

The Governor signed SB 18, the midyear budget reduction for education, on March 18, 2003.  This bill reduced GSE funding for 2002 - 2003 by $8.8 million.  This reduction significantly affects the spring GSE administration.  The 2004 plans for the GSE will be determined by the 2003-2004 budget.

Spring 2003 Administration.  The only examinations to be administered will be the GSE in Reading, the GSE in Writing, and the GSE in High School Mathematics, the examinations to be administered as augmentations to the California Standards Tests (CSTs).  The GSE in first-year algebra, geometry, biology, chemistry, physics, second-year integrated/coordinated science, economics, government/civics, U.S. history, and second-year Spanish language will not be administered.

Eligibility.  Students taking the 11th grade English-Language Arts Standards Test may take the GSE in Reading and the GSE in Writing. 
Students must complete both examinations to get a GSE result in these subjects. These examinations may be taken only once.  Students taking the Summative High School Mathematics Standards Test or the Algebra II Standards Test in grades 9, 10, or 11 may take the GSE in High School Mathematics.  The GSE in High School Mathematics may now be taken more than once.

GSE Results.  Scores from the CST portion and scores from the GSE portion will be combined to produce the GSE performance-level result (i.e., recognition, honors, and high honors).  Students completing the GSE in High School Mathematics will receive a GSE result and a scale score. Students completing both the GSE in Reading and the GSE in Writing will receive a GSE result and a scale score in reading and a GSE result and a scale score in writing. 

California State University Pilot Study.  The California State University (CSU) system is working with selected high schools to pilot the use of 2003 GSE results in English-language arts and high school mathematics for CSU placement purposes.