SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Karen Bass (D- Los Angeles) issued the following statement today after State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell’s decision to use support services to help students pass the Exit Exam.

“I applaud the Superintendent’s efforts to expand support services for students and to increase opportunities for students to take and pass the exit exam. However, I am still concerned about the potential of 100,000 students leaving high schools with out diplomas.”

“I continue to be concerned that there might not be adequate resources are available to ensure that programs are implemented in a timely fashion and provided to the most under resourced communities.

Finally, we must continue to explore rigorous alternative for students to demonstrate the skills and knowledge on the exit exam. Just as students learn in different ways, so too can they demonstrate their knowledge.”