May 24, 2006
Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Comments on Supreme
Court Decision to Reinstate the High School Exit Exam Law
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement regarding the California Supreme Court decision granting a request by the California Department of Education (CDE) to stay a lower court order. That ruling, handed down May 12 by an Alameda County Superior Court judge, blocked the requirement that public school students pass a high school exit exam in order to graduate. In the case O'Connell v. Superior Court (Valenzuela) (S143543) the state's high court also acted on the CDE's request for a writ of mandate, by issuing an "order to show cause" and sending the case to the state Court of Appeal, First Appellate District (San Francisco), for further action.
"I am extremely pleased that the Supreme Court has reinstated the California High School Exit Exam as a condition for graduation. As a result, school districts can continue their graduation exercises as planned before this litigation began.
"I will communicate with districts today to ensure they are aware that the exit exam is a graduation requirement. Students who have worked hard to pass this exam will be given a diploma that signifies their mastery of essential skills in reading and math. I hope that this decision will give students in the class of 2006, their parents, and their schools certainty.
"We will not give up on the students who are still struggling to pass. They will continue to be given every option to master those skills they will need in order to succeed beyond high school.
"They may attend summer school, before and after school tutoring, remedial courses, and continue taking the exam until they pass. And for students in the class of 2006 who have not yet passed, schools and school districts are responsible for working with them to find an educational path that will help them master those skills.
"In sending this case to the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court has provided us an opportunity to argue the merits of this case.
"We know, and look forward to sharing with the court, that as a result of the exit exam, our students have studied harder and learned more than they would have otherwise.
"Schools, administrators, school board members, parents, and even policy makers here in Sacramento paid more attention to the needs of students who were falling behind their peers.
"Today's court action marks an important step for school accountability. I will continue to fight to make sure every student who graduates in California has the skills necessary to succeed."
