Lawsuit Over Disabled Students Taking State Exit Exam to End

[The Straight Story]

Lawsuit Over Disabled Students Taking State Exit Exam to End
Written by Jason Kobely, Internet News Producer


SACRAMENTO (AP) -- The state Department of Education will study the pass rate for students with disabilities on the high school exit exam as part of a deal to end a lawsuit against the test.

The test became a requirement to earn a high school diploma in California starting with the class of 2006.

Blind, deaf and other disabled children classified as special education students won a two-year reprieve after a previous lawsuit settlement.

A Berkeley-based group called Disability Rights Advocates sued the state over the exam. But the Department of Education said the group did not identify any students who were able to meet all other graduation requirements besides passing the test.

In a settlement announced Friday, the state agreed to hire an independent evaluator to identify whether there are students who have mastered the material on the exam but cannot demonstrate it.

http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=40318

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. If they could pass the test

they wouldn't be in special ed.

We special ed teachers have been preaching this ever since NCLB came into our world.

Looking back, I see this as an attempt to stop providing special education services to children with disabilities. Just one more attempt to strip public schools of funding.

:mad:

[PA Democrat]

3. It's so ridiculous to punish schools and kids when they KNOW

that some of these kids will never pass the test. Then they'll offer kids in special ed a school voucher as if any private school that would be affordable would take the kid.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. As if the private school could meet their needs!

Or even wants them.

[kestrel91316]

2. As an employer, it's already apparent to me that a HS diploma in CA isn't worth the paper

it's printed on. Kids with diplomas typically can't even put together an intelligible work and education history for me on request (mini-resume) when they inquire about an entry-level job. Half of them appear functionally illiterate.

So giving them to people who TRULY can't read or write (in many cases) is irrelevant. Go right ahead.