SACRAMENTO - The Class of 2006 will be California’s first student body required to pass an exit exam in order to receive a High School diploma.

With the veto of Assembly Member Karen Bass’ AB 1531, Governor Schwarzenegger is ignoring the recommendation of his own trusted researchers at the Human Resources Research Organization (HUMRRO), who acknowledged that more than 100,000 students would be denied diplomas in 2006 and recommended implementing multiple methods of assessing English and math skills to determine a students’ real-life academic ability.

“I am disappointed that the Governor cannot see the residual effect of mass failure of students whose schools do not have adequate resources,” said Assembly Member Bass (D-Los Angeles).

Bass also said, “The Governor took a leadership role in signing the Williams settlement, which allocated $138 million in additional funding to provide low performing schools with equal access to instructional materials, safe and decent school facilities and qualified teachers. He also approved $70 million to assist students with passing the exit exam, but these efforts fall short because the money will not arrive in time to help the graduating class of 2006.

The High School exit exam only relies on the results of a single multiple-choice test taken on a single day. Bass says the broader multiple assessments approach would raise standards and increase graduation rates. Stanford University’s nationwide research concurs, citing other states that use an exit exam use the test as only one indicator of achievement, taking into account additional measures, including grades, coursework and performances assessments in determining a student’s academic ability.

“It is my hope that the Governor will reassess his decision before we experience mass academic failure and an increase in the dropout rate,” implored Bass, “What’s worse, is without diplomas, thousands of students will be unemployable causing additional social and economic challenges for the state.”