SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement after the announcement by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert Freedman that he would make a final ruling by Friday in the case of Valenzuela v. California, regarding the California High School Exit Exam:

"The judge wanted to look in further detail at the issue of whether it was appropriate to certify this case as a class action lawsuit. Attorneys representing the state will be filing arguments on this topic tomorrow. 

"I will continue to fight to preserve the integrity of the California High School Exit Exam. The vast majority of students in the Class of 2006 have passed the exam.  Those students deserve the opportunity to graduate with diplomas that demonstrate mastery of essential skills in reading and math. Those students who have not yet passed are getting targeted remedial instruction to help them learn the critical math and English skills they will need to survive beyond high school.

"A positive resolution to this case is essential to students who have worked hard to pass the exam, employers who want meaning restored to high school diplomas, and our public schools that have risen to the challenge of preparing students to pass the exam."