California Kids Hostages to Court Decision

The California Supreme Court has reinstated the exit exam,
effective immediately. Because graduation is but mere days away,
students expecting to graduate who have not passed the exit exam will
not be allowed to walk ... at least for now. The case is going back to
the Appellate court to hear arguments about the test's validity and
fairness. Earlier this year, a trial court in Alameda County issued a
preliminary injunction to stop the exam from which the Department of
Education filed an immediate appeal. This decision to reinstate the
exam is the result of the stay of the preliminary injunction by the
Calif. Supreme Court.



Of course, this ruling will be most harsh on students whose primary
language is not English, of which California has a large population.
According to a S.F. Chronicle story,
11% of the class of 2006 (46,768 students) have not passed the exam and
would be ineligible for graduation although all of their other course
requirements are finished. These student's future is being held hostage
by these court decisions. Because so much is riding on whether or not
the exam is required, the court needs to stick with a decision.



The case is Valenzuela v. O'Connell, look for more action upcoming as the Appellate court considers what to do about the test.