Posted on 07/25/2006 3:35:03 PM PDT by SmithL
The California Court of Appeals is deciding whether to give diplomas -- at least for now -- to more than 20,000 students who would have graduated high school had they passed the state exit exam.
Three appellate judges heard oral arguments in the so-called Valenzuela case today, giving lawyers nearly 90 minutes to argue whether those 20,000 students who fulfilled all other graduation requirements should graduate or continue to be denied a diploma. This year was the first year that the exam was a graduation requirement.
Today's hearing was the latest in a 5-month case that has traveled up and down the judicial system as the courts addressed whether to freeze the exit-exam requirement until the case is decided. An Alameda County Superior Court judge granted that injunction in early May, but that decision was soon after stayed by the California Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court until the appellate justices could consider the pros and cons of an injunction more fully.
. . . The lawsuit argues that not all had equal learning opportunities, but the judges still questioned whether unprepared students should get a diploma.
"All you're doing is sending them out into the world with a piece of paper, but not an education,'' he said, adding the state constitutional right is for an education, not a diploma.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
BINGO!
20,000 birdcage liners. That's about the only value
these diplomas will have.
Oh well, the world needs ditchdiggers and burger flippers too.
The kids have been schooled, they have not been educated. Doesn't matter to mama guv'mint - just go ahead and celebrate failure and the power of the judge!
The 20,000 did not complete the requirements, but the demand is that they be given diplomas anyway.
I suspect that all through their "education," these students have failed but have been passed on to the next level. Their education is probably next to worthless.
I like the suggestion that all kids in California simply be given diplomas at birth. It would save much expense, and would give the youngsters more free time.
Give everyone in CA a roll of toilet paper with h.s. diploma printed on each sheet. That way, everyone can have theirs with no fuss, no effort, and they'll know exactly what it's WORTH.
Now, that is just an ignorant response. I see you are another California basher.
Q. Do you speak EnglisH?
A. Que?
Congratulations!
Come on its kinda funny, no matter what state it wa said about...
LOL -- I'm laughing, it was funny!
Someone from New Jersey is criticizing California? That's rich.
Hey, here's a great idea. Give them all diplomas then fast track them into college while kids who work hard and get their diplomas are tossed to the side.
Affirmative Action Now!!!! Where's Jesse when you need him? Jesse Jesse Jessee!!!!
Sheesh.
Begging your pardon, Your Honor, but giving these kids diplomas will be an education -- for everyone.
Of nearly 10,000 black students who graduated from Los Angeles County high schools this past June, just 1 percent will attend UCLA... This year, black enrollment at UCLA will be the lowest in more than three decades—a 57 percent decline since 1996.
Do you think college enrollment is down because High School graduates aren't qualified to attend?
-PJ
Here's one for you-
The US Dept. of Education is still witholding approval of several state's exit exams and end-of-course exams because they say they may be too easy.
All this brought to you by NCLB....
And yet in California - who is trying to implement the requirements now faces a judge who may very well undo the requirment to pass such exams.
Does anyone else see the problems that come when the government tries to run (in the ground?) education?
A simple comparison of public schools before the government (at all levels) decided they knew better how to run schools to today's schools will open the eyes!
And before someone tries to say I am just crying about integration - do a little more checking. Integration was just a door for the government, particularly the federal government, to come in.
Anyone read Frank Peretti? Many of his books at least touch on what I believe is the REAL reason our public schools have eroded into the immoral septic tanks they have become.
I still think that the kids that can't pass the exit exam should be given Certificates of Self Esteem.
HOW can you provide EQUAL opportunities? There are so many individual factors!
A good start would be for the kids to ATTEND EVERY DAY OF SCHOOL.
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