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To save the state money, a committee has proposed doing away with the requirement that students pass the high school exit exam in order to graduate. What do you think?

Edgar Sanchez, Junior, Johansen High School

"I think the proposal is not as bad as critics say. We students already have enough finals, AP exams and benchmark tests to take in order to graduate from high school. I don't think the standards on the high school exit exam are high enough to make California's students prove they really deserve a high school diploma. The best thing for the state to do would be if they improved the standards and the teaching materials. Eliminating the exam would not affect education, as the material on the exam is already taught in class."

Maggie White, Freshman, Valley Charter High School

"I don't understand why we need the high school exit exam -- or CAHSEE; it tests for the understanding of the skills needed to continue with higher-level education, and the state standards tests that students take every spring do the same thing. Why do we need both? If we're cutting back on costs, I don't see why the CAHSEE is necessary."

Victoria Pardini, Senior, Modesto High School

"I honestly could go either way on this particular budget issue. If the student is able to meet other precedents set by the state and by the district, such as passing every class, the CAHSEE is ultimately unnecessary and often a waste of time for those who take it. However, the CAHSEE does test basic knowledge and it is good to test students on at least basic understanding of reading, writing and math. Still, if it were between keeping the CAHSEE and keeping CalGrants, the CAHSEE would not be a loss I'd mourn."

Electra Chong, Junior, Modesto High

"I do think the CAHSEE serves a purpose, but the question is if it's worth the money. I'm not sure it is. If it were another time, when the state had money to spare, I would go for keeping the exam intact. But as it is now, when we're already cutting more important funding, the CAHSEE doesn't seem vital enough to keep; there are other ways of ensuring an education standard for graduating students."

Breiana Theodore, Senior, Big Valley Christian High School

"I think they should save money in a better way like getting rid of the pointless STAR tests. If they keep the high school exit exams, they should at least raise the bar a little as far as difficulty."

Kevin Davidson, Sophomore, Beyer High School

"Sure, the exit exam is possibly the most excruciatingly boring test you might ever face throughout your high school career, but I feel it is important for it to remain a staple in the gauging of a student's knowledge of necessary skills. Yes, they are exhausting, expensive and extremely irritating, but their merit certainly does not falter. The children are the future, and exactly what future is ahead of us if graduating is made into such a simple, as well as feasible, feat?"