January 20, 2006

CA High Schoolers with Disabilities Escape This Year's Exit Exam

California high school students with disabilities in the upcoming 2006 graduating class will likely "be exempt from passing the state's exit exam under an agreement announced Thursday," according to a story in the Sacramento Bee.

After several weeks of negotiation, officials agreed to put a bill by Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, on a fast track that will free high school seniors in special education from passing the controversial math and English exam that is a graduation requirement this year for the first time.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the bill, which will settle one piece of the lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Advocates 5 years ago. DRA's Melissa Kasnitz told reporters that while the legislation is a good move, it won't help students in future classes -- and so the lawsuit continues.

Read Exit-exam deal struck for California students with disabilities (Scripps Howard News Service)

Posted on January 20, 2006