Effective Transitions Presentation Note Guide

Effective Transitions: High School Proficiency and Equivalency Programs Resource Guide

California Charter Schools Association Conference Presentation on March 12, 2025

Presenters

• Bernadine Holman: Education Program Consultant, High School Equivalency Program
• Gita Raman: Education Program Consultant, High School Proficiency Program 

Learning Objectives

• The California Proficiency Program (CPP)
• The High School Equivalency (HSE) Program
• Fee Waivers for Homeless or Foster Youth

The California Proficiency Program

• The CPP is for currently enrolled students
• California Education Code Section 48412
• Excelling or struggling students
• Certificate of Proficiency
• Subjects covered:
• Mathematics
• Language Arts
• Reading
• Writing
• HiSET only CPP Vendor
• College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards

CPP Eligibility Part 1

The CPP is for students who are:

• At least sixteen years of age andcurrently enrolled in high school; or
• In their second semester of tenth grade; or
• Enrolled in grade ten for one yearor longer.

CPP Eligibility Part 2

• California Public High School
• Private or Homeschooled
• Work Permit issued by the Department of Industrial Relations

For more detailed information please read the eligibility criteria posted on the CDE CPP web page.

CPP Application Process

• The test taker should create a “myHiSET” CPP account
• If needed, the student may submit a request for Exam Accommodations
• Submit the HiSET CPP Approval Request and high school transcript
• Wait for eligibility and accommodations approval (if applicable) before they student can schedule the exam

CPP Checklist Overview (Documentation Required for CPP Approval)

For Standard eligibility (currently enrolled in CA high school):

• Transcript Validates:
• Age
• Date of birth
• Grade level and current semester
• Name/County, District, School (CDS) code for current enrollment

For Homeschool/Private School Eligibility:

• Transcript Validates:
• Age
• Date of birth
• Grade level and current semester
• Name/CDS code for current enrollment
• Additional documentation needed: Copy of current private school affidavit

For Out of State, California Work Permit Eligibility

• Transcript Validates:
• Age
• DOB
• Grade level and current semester
• Name/CDS code for current enrollment
• Additional documentation needed: Copy of valid California work permit

CPP Test Prep Resources

• HiSET Practice Tests
• HiSET Test Prep Materials

CPP Testing Options

• Testing available 24/7, 365 days a year
• Test at home through online proctoring
• Test at a testing center on the computer
• Paper and pencil testing is available at some testing centers
• Scores are available within 48 hours after testing on the students’ HiSET Profile

Minimum Passing Scores

• CPP cut score higher than HSE
• Score at least 15/20 on each subtest:
• Language Arts:
• Reading
• Writing
• Score at least 4/6 on the Writing subtest
• Mathematics
• Achieve a total scaled score of at least 60 on all three subtests

Opportunities After Passing the CPP

• Exit high school with parental approval
• Enroll in higher education
• Embark on a career
• Stay in high school

Homeless and Foster Youth Fee Waiver

If you are under the age of 25 (and certified as a homeless youth by a homeless services provider) or a foster youth as defined in Education Code Section 48412, you qualify for a fee waiver for the HSE and CPP tests.

• The Homeless and Foster Youths Fee Waiver for HSE and Proficiency Tests flyer (PDF)
• Homeless Certification Form (PDF)

The High School Equivalency (HSE) Program

HiSET vs GED

HiSET is the only vendor who currently offers the Proficiency exam and the ability to earn an Equivalency certificate after passing the Proficiency exam. The Equivalency Program is for individuals who are:

HSE Eligibility

• Not enrolled in high school, or
• 18 years of age or older, or
• 17 years of age under certain circumstances

If a student takes and passes the CPP and they unenroll from high school, they then become eligible to take the remaining two subtests of the HiSET Equivalency exam.

CDE Equivalency eligibility web page

HSE Subtests

HiSET has five subtests. Learn about what is on each test on the HiSET About web page.

• Reading
• Writing
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Science

Once a student takes and passes those three subtests under the HiSET Proficiency, and then unenroll from high school, they can choose to take the remaining two subtests (Social Studies and Science) to earn their high school equivalency credentials (transcript and certificate).

Minimum scores are lower for these remaining two subtests. Go to HiSET Minimum Test Scores web page.

Exam Options

• In-person, at a testing center
• At home, with live proctors
• Computer-based Testing
• Paper-based Testing at select testing sites

Locate HiSET test centers near you

Practice, Prepare, Study

• HiSET Practice Tests
• HiSET Test Prep Materials

August 2025 Summer Convenings (Roadshow)

Summer Convenings registration is now open.

Contact Us

CDE HSE Office

• Email: HSEoffice@cde.ca.gov
• Phone: 916-445-9438

CDE California High School Proficiency (CHSPE) Office

• Email: CHSPE@cde.ca.gov
• Phone: 916-445-9449

CDE CPP Office

• Email: CPP@cde.ca.gov
• Phone: 916-445-9449

To join the email list, send a blank email message to subscribe-caaspp@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

Are you a new subscriber? Visit the California Department of Education Assessment Spotlight web page to find previous issues.​