LOS ANGELES – Assemblymember Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) responds to the ruling by the California Supreme Court to reinstate the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) as a graduation requirement, which will affect more than 46,000 high school students in the state.

“It is unfortunate that the Court took this action,” states Assemblymember Bass. “I’m sure this has been such an emotional rollercoaster for these students and their parents---two weeks ago there was relief and now that has been yanked away. They have met all the appropriate course work requirements to graduate and should be rewarded for their accomplishments. One test should not erase all the work that they have done in the last 12 years.”

The high court ordered a state appeals court to hold hearings in the case. This year's class was the first in which passing the test of 10th grade English and eighth grade math and algebra was required for graduation. Earlier this month, Alameda Superior Court Judge Robert Freedman suspended the graduation requirement for the Class of 2006, stating that California had not adequately prepared students to take the exam especially in low income and under-funded areas of the state.

“The CAHSEE is based on an equal playing field model and there resources have not been provided to remedy this disparity. In order for students to have a fair chance to pass the exam, we must ensure that they have books and qualified instructors as well as reduce the classroom size. We have to invest in our children today to ensure that they are appropriately prepared to be the leaders of tomorrow.”

Last year, Assemblymember Bass authored a bill that would provide schools the opportunity to offer alternative measures in order to increase its number of student who pass the CAHSEE. The bill passed the Assembly but was vetoed by the Governor. California and Texas are the only states that require an exit exam for graduation without offering an alternative measurement of equivalency.

The CAHSEE has two parts: English-language arts (ELA) and mathematics. The ELA part addresses state content standards through grade ten. The mathematics part of the CAHSEE addresses state standards in grades six and seven and Algebra I. Assemblymember Bass points out the findings of the Williams Lawsuit Settlement in 2004, which states that the State of California acknowledges gross disparities in quality of education between inner city and affluent schools. However, the $1.2 billion settlement that requires the State to address these iniquities has not been implemented.