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SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell announced today that a tentative settlement agreement has been reached in Valenzuela v. O'Connell et al., a lawsuit challenging the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).

"I am delighted that a tentative agreement has been reached that is in the best interest of California students," O'Connell said. "Final agreement to this proposed settlement will put to rest this challenge, leaving the exit exam in place. Most importantly, it will ensure that students in the class of 2006 and beyond will continue to get the assistance they need to learn the critical skills measured on the CAHSEE."

The proposed settlement was tentatively approved today by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert Freedman. The settlement proposal requires passage by the Legislature and approval by the Governor of AB 347, authored by Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) and sponsored by O'Connell, to ensure that students who fail to pass the CAHSEE and graduate may receive an additional two years of academic assistance from their school districts. The bill is currently pending approval on the floor of the Senate.

The official notice that sets forth the terms of the proposed settlement reached by the parties in the case is now being distributed to the public. A hearing to give final approval to the proposed settlement has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. August 13, 2007 in Alameda County Superior Court.

"I have always said that failure to pass the CAHSEE means only that a student's education is not complete," said O'Connell, who authored the law creating the exam. "It's important that our state continue to offer students the assistance they need in high school and beyond. The goal of the exit exam is to ensure that all students are prepared with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workplace or higher education.

"I encourage the Legislature to move this important bill forward so that all our students will receive the academic assistance they need to attain the fundamental skills measured by the exit exam," O'Connell said.

To view the tentative settlement agreement, please visit For a copy of the proposed notice of proposed settlement, please visit Notice of Certification of Settlement Class (Posted 24-Jul-2007; DOC; 43KB; 5pp.) | PDF (Posted 24-Jul-2007; 270KB; 5pp.). To view the text of AB 347, please go to: AB 347 Assembly Bill - AMENDED [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0301-0350/ab_347_bill_20070712_amended_sen_v92.html] (Outside Source). See also a letter to County and District Superintendents about the Notice of Proposed Valenzuela Lawsuit Settlement.