Over 600,000 California high schoolers labeled "special needs" students may not graduate next spring, thanks to CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of a bill that would have exempted the students from taking the state's one-size-fits-all graduation test.

Melissa Kasnitz, managing attorney for the Oakland-based Disability Rights Advocates, told reporters DRA might have to seek a temporary court order prohibiting the state from denying diplomas to the students who have met all other graduation requirements except the exam.

A federal lawsuit was filed in 2001 by disabled students against the state Department of Education over the California High School Exit Exam.

One of the vetoed bills would have allowed seniors to pass an alternative exam developed by their school district.

Related:
Exit exam remains grad requirement (San Bernardino County Sun)