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Posted on 05/31/2006 10:43:22 PM PDT by SmithL
In defiance of state law, the Oakland school board voted tonight to grant diplomas to seniors who have not passed the state-required exit exam, in a 4-2 vote.
However, because the bankrupt district is under state control and the board has been stripped of decision-making powers, the resolution cannot be enforced unless approved by state-appointed Administrator Randolph Ward.
Ward was chosen to lead the district by State Superintendent Jack O'Connell, who authored the exit exam legislation, in 2003.
Ward left the meeting before the board voted and could not be reached for comment.
"Let's not be frightened by O'Connell. Let's not be frightened of Ward. Let's vote our consciences," said board member Dan Siegel, who proposed the resolution. "It's very unfair to say to students who, for 13 years, have done what we have asked them to do, you can't graduate."
Of the 1,492 Oakland seniors who have satisfied course requirements for graduation, 140 have not passed both the math and English sections of the exit exam.
Siegel and his supporters believe that inadequate funding and a lack of quality teachers puts Oakland students at a disadvantage for passing the exam, which the state requires to get a diploma.
"It doesn't matter how many times we can take the test and how many years we have to prepare when our schools have been messed up since we were in kindergarten," said Leslie Santiago, a 17-year-old junior at MetWest High School in Oakland.
Santiago was one of about 25 students who attended the board meeting to support Siegel's resolution.
In Oakland, seniors who do not pass the exit exam cannot participate in graduation ceremonies, regardless of whether they have satisfied all other graduation requirements.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Why not? It's unfair to force undocumented graduates to live in the shadows of society.
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
hay mahn eye wus a grahdjewit ahf thuh oaklend puhblick skewl sistum ahnd eye wint ahn two grahdjewate frum you sea elle aye ahs ahn ingglesh mayjoor ahnd eye kan telle ewe thu eggsit xzams r ez two pahs eye maygeorged en riting gud en kolidge beekuz uf thu lernin eye gaht en thu oaklend skewl sistum aynd eye em noaw teechin inglesh two stewdents aht thu oaklend publick skewl sistum nowe thaht eye gaht meye teechin sirtiffakit sew nowe ahl stewdents kan lern gud sence eye em teechen inglesh aht thu skewl sew thu prahblims ewe heer abowt nowe woughnt bee thair en thu fewtchure sew doughnt wurree abought thu publick skewl sestum eht iz awl taykin kair uf
****"It doesn't matter how many times we can take the test and how many years we have to prepare when our schools have been messed up since we were in kindergarten," said Leslie Santiago, a 17-year-old junior at MetWest High School in Oakland.*****
Kinda makes you wonder how the students who did earn their graduation made it.
Something tells me hard work might be part of that equation.
Gee, I thought Fresno Unified was bad letting kids walk even though they haven't passed the exit exam.
I think you can bank on it.
Great minds do think alike...unfortunately, Oakland is showing that mediocre minds think alike, too.
-SNIP-
Of the 1,492 Oakland seniors who have satisfied course requirements for graduation, 140 have not passed both the math and English sections of the exit exam.
I am so glad I got out of the public school system. I really am.
Getting an unearned diploma should really help the kids.
Hey, send me few rolls. I need to re-wallpaper my bathroom.
It would be if that were the case. But if they haven't passed enough courses or filled the requirements set by the school district, then they haven't done what they were asked to do and don't deserve to graduate.
That's funny. You know the National Spelling Bee is going on this week?
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