[SmithL]

...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.

The Board seems to have imparted all of it competence to its students. Give them all "Certificates of Esteem" and paper hats.

[kinoxi]

aint dun been knowed wat dat means ...

[JRios1968]

"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.

I hate to be the one to tell Leslie...at age 17 I was a freshman...in college. And, I did it in Puerto Rico, a place not normally known for the quality of public schools. However, I took the time and spent the effort to actually be a better than average student, and I was able to overcome what today is diagnosed as severe ADHD. Today I am an Air Force officer and a civil engineer. The schools in Oakland might be "messed up," but Leslie, you are a big part of the problem.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Why don't they just cut to the chase and give a diploma to all the 4th graders? Think of the money they'd save!

[LibWhacker]

Hi skoo daploma??? You be trippin', foo! Where my PhD at?

[NinoFan]

I am so sick of liberal idiots on school boards.

[CAWats]

To be fair, these kids have no business being in the 12th grade without knowing 7th grade math. If they had been held back in the 7th grade, graduating would not even be an issue.

[knarf]

"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."

They're dead, Jim.

[goldstategop]

Liberals like to reward failure. After all recognizing success means leaving some behind. Oakland's slogan might well be, "Leave No Losers Behind."

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[FlingWingFlyer]

Isn't Oakland the official home of "Ebonics?"

[peggybac]

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."

Have done what they were asked to do? Yeah, right!

"Siegel and his supporters believe that inadequate funding and a lack of quality teachers."

NOW they blame the teachers.

[monkapotamus]

"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."

That would be what - just show up to class?

[ironmaidenPR2717]

I expect it will soon be illegal (or discriminatory) to expect these same graduates to read and/or legibly fill out an employment application.

[Political Junkie Too]

"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."

Is that an admission of incompetence?

-PJ

[AlaskaErik]

So now that those who worked towards their diploma and earned it will have it become meaningless. That'll show them that hard work has its own rewards.

[Hugin]

Why not? It's unfair to force undocumented graduates to live in the shadows of society.

[freepatriot32]

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

[TightyRighty]

Gee, I thought Fresno Unified was bad letting kids walk even though they haven't passed the exit exam.

[Tired of Taxes]

HOMESCHOOL PING

-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.

[Uncle Hal]

Getting an unearned diploma should really help the kids.

[freepy smurf]

Hey, send me few rolls. I need to re-wallpaper my bathroom.