Posted on 05/18/2006 4:47:44 PM PDT by SmithL
SACRAMENTO - California schools chief Jack O'Connell said he will ask the state Supreme Court on Friday to overturn last week's ruling that brought California's high school exit exam to a sudden halt.
The ruling, which came just weeks before high school seniors around the state are scheduled to graduate, was welcome news for nearly 47,000 12th-graders who have not yet passed the exit exam, a diploma requirement for the first time this year.
But O'Connell sees the test of 8th- to 10th-grade math, English and algebra skills as a way to hold students to higher academic standards, and to add meaning to their diplomas.
Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert Freedman barred the state from denying diplomas on grounds that not all students had an equal opportunity to learn the material on the test. Freedman said that withholding the diplomas would harm students more than it would help the state.
In his appeal, O'Connell will ask the court to find that Freedman's order was issued improperly, he said.
He also will ask the high court to immediately stay the lower-court decision and allow the state to withhold high school diplomas as originally planned.
O'Connell said that rather than harming students, the exit exam helps them because students are buckling down and learning at least the basics they will need to succeed in college or employment. He said he knew of no high school that had not offered students extra help and tutoring to help students pass the test.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
'because students are buckling down and learning at least the basics they will need to succeed in college or employment'
I have never heard a weaker excuse for graduating morons and illiterates.
Yes, I believe we are in trouble in this country.
It goes without saying that this is way out of line.
I hope the CA Supreme Court overturns this foolishness. Tests are tests, and people should be required to take them. Don't change results just to affirm someone's self esteem.
A year ago, I was ago with public school. I had a very positive experience with public school. Then our district closed my kids school, and we have been in public school H***.
My daughter who has brain damage was above grade level in reading/writing last year. In November and again in February, she had not gone up at all. Now, she is at or below grade level. According to the district, there isn't a problem and she doesn't need any help.
Also, according to the school principal I am the reason that my kids are unhappy with school. It's not the fact that one of my daughters is sick of hearing kids cuss, seeing kids get beat up, putting up with kids being disruptive in the classroom, or the fact that there has been absolutely no science in the classroom this year.
I am so ready to go to private school or homeschool. I just don't know what which one we are going to do yet.
It depends on who writes the test....tests written by liberals force teachers to teach liberalism.
That would be delusional self esteem.
The decline of the education system in this country is a multi-factorial problem that can't be solved with a simple test. Testing of graduating students will at least provide some credence to the diploma they hand out. The liberal agenda has succeeded in creating chaos in the classroom. The liberals tell students to do what makes them feel good. This lack of discipline and respect is a principle factor in children's inability to have an environment conducive for learning. Corporal punishment is the key to reclaim the classroom.
LOL, 12 years of public education isn't an "equal opportunity to learn the material" needed to graduate? For crying out loud!
I think that will be all for show and no go!
They are protecting their job (backside) and that is all.
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