SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement in response to the Governor's signing of SB 517 by Senator Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), a bill that reflects the terms of a settlement reached last year in the case of Chapman, et al v. the California Department of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the State Board of Education. The lawsuit sought to delay the consequences of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) for students with disabilities in the class of 2006: 

"I am pleased that the Governor has signed legislation that will uphold the integrity of the California High School Exit Exam while giving our schools more time to provide special education students with the skills necessary to pass the exam.

"I continue to believe that for all students, a high school diploma should signify the acquisition of skills necessary to succeed in the world past graduation.

"SB 517 by Senator Gloria Romero exempts certain students with disabilities from the requirement of passing the exam under certain circumstances. The delayed requirement is in effect for one year only, and applies only to students with disabilities who have been identified to be on a diploma track for graduation in 2006.

"I'm particularly pleased that the law also includes a requirement that for students to be eligible for the delay, they have received remediation if made available by the district. This ensures students are given every opportunity and every tool to succeed on the exam."