Court denies last-ditch appeal of exit exam

Contra Costa Times ^ | 5/26/6 | Shirley Dang

[SmithL]

A state court of appeals has decided against ruling on the high school exit exam before graduation, dealing what seems a final blow to 47,000 high school seniors who flunked the test required for a diploma.

On Thursday, the appellate court scheduled oral arguments for July 25, more than a month after most students would have donned a cap and gown. Lawyers for students suing over the test asked justices to settle the issue of diplomas now, reserving the right to decide the merits of the case later.

Friday afternoon, the court denied the request. Arturo Gonzalez, the lawyer representing five Richmond High School students, said he would continue to fight the case at the July 25 hearing.

"This case is far from over," Gonzalez said in a statement.

As of last count, 47,000 California seniors, or 11 percent statewide, had failed the exam.

In February, five Richmond High School students joined a suit claiming that the state did not provide an equal chance for all students to learn the material. On May 12, an Alameda Superior Court judge ruled in their favor.

On Wednesday, the state Supreme Court stayed the decision and ordered the appellate court to hash out a ruling.

Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell said he welcomed the appeals' court decision to stick with the original timetable.

"School districts throughout California now have certainty, and should proceed with graduation exercises for the Class of 2006 as planned before the exit exam was challenged in court," O'Connell said in a release.

[RKBA Democrat]

Here is why vouchers won't work: the courts won't let them. They've been batting a .0000 in the courts to date. If that situation was different, I'd be in support of them.

I'd rather try something that has a chance of being implemented rather than continue to beat our heads against a wall in the courts.

As for mucking up the tax system, I'm missing how increasing the tax exemption or credit for children or having localities send families a check in lieu of providing a "free" education mucks up anything worse than it already is.

I agree with competition in education. The problem is that vouchers haven't proven to be a good way to get there.