SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced that he would urge Governor Schwarzenegger to veto SB 586 by Senator Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), which O'Connell originally sponsored to implement terms of a settlement in the Chapman v. California lawsuit.

"Regretfully, I must urge the Governor to veto this measure because the bill that was approved by the Legislature is not faithful to the terms of the settlement agreed to with the plaintiffs," O'Connell said. "This settlement was designed to provide a means for certain students with disabilities in the class of 2006 to receive a diploma without passing the Exit Exam while ensuring the continuation of all efforts to deliver these students the highest quality education possible. I am very disappointed that this legislation exceeded the parameters of the settlement."

SB 586 differed from the Chapman settlement in three main ways:

• SB 586 would be in effect for two years. The settlement agreement was to be in effect for one year;
• SB 586 eliminates review by the State Board of Education to ensure that schools and students meet the criteria of the settlement. The bill would leave that to the discretion of local districts;
• SB 586 eliminates the requirement that students take remediation or supplemental instruction offered by school districts.

Superintendent O'Connell will also request a veto of AB 1531 by Assembly member Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles). This measure would allow students to take an alternative performance assessment, as opposed to the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). Current law requires a multiyear independent evaluation of the CAHSEE. The Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) is the contractor for this review and is expected to provide recommendations to improve the quality, fairness, validity, and reliability of the CAHSEE. The next HumRRO report is due September 30, 2005.

"The Exit Exam is a key element in our school accountability system," O'Connell said. "It has focused our schools on teaching California's world-class academic standards, and students across the state are rising to the challenge of higher expectations.  It would also be premature to change our exit exam law before we have the opportunity to review the HumRRO report and recommendations."