Ahhnold Signs Waiver on Exit Exam for Special Education Students

[The Straight Story]

Governor Signs Waiver on Exit Exam for Special Education Students
Written for the web by C. Johnson, Internet News Producer


The governor has signed a bill that exempts some graduating special education students from having to pass the California High School Exit Exam in order to receive a high school diploma.

This is the first year high school seniors on track to graduate in 2006 must past the two-part test on English and math skills as one of the requirements for a diploma.

Senate Bill 517 grants a waiver to certain special education students through December 31, 2006. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, was introduced as part of a legal settlement reached last August in the case of Chapman v. California Department of Education. The 2001 lawsuit alleged the administration of CAHSEE was discriminatory and unfair to special needs students.

SB 517 stipulates several conditions a student must meet before the exemption is allowed. The student must have an Individualized Education Plan, must be on track to graduate in 2006, must meet all other state and local requirements for graduation, and must have taken the exit exam at least twice since 10th grade. One of the efforts must have been while the student was in 12th grade.


http://www.kxtv.com/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=15640

[KamaAina]

1. One Deaf student was ready to leave the state to graduate!

http://www.raggededgemagazine.com/departments/news/000712.html

Nick Mackey has the beginnings of a solid college application: He plays baseball at Galt High School, shows prize-winning pigs, is active in his church youth group and has excelled in computer courses — the field he hopes to work in someday.

But what the high school senior doesn't have is assurance he'll get a diploma in California, the state where he has received his education.

That's because Nick, who is deaf and struggles with written and spoken language, hasn't passed the English portion of the California High School Exit Exam....

So his parents have devised a plan: They will send him to another state for his last semester of high school.

This is the kind of crap people with disabilities have to put up with every time the rest of society forgets we exist. At least California finally managed to do the right thing.

[Nikki Stone 1]

2. Actually, this is not a bad thing

Some special ed students cannot take tests for a variety of reasons. Learning disabilities are a very real thing.

[Katherine Brengle]

3. I agree

Students take part in special-ed programs for a variety of reasons, some of which are extremely debilitating.

The only other alternative would be to design different tests for every single type of special-ed student. There would have to be a special test designed for every different learning disability, every physical disability. This is possible, but would be both costly and inefficient.

[Nikki Stone 1]

4. Exactly.

You bring up very good points. You know the right wing echo chamber will have a field day with this, though.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi Katherine Brengle!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: