SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today commented on the court's approval of a settlement in Valenzuela v. O'Connell, et al., a lawsuit challenging the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).

"With the court's approval of this agreement we send yet another strong message to California students that the High School Exit Exam is here to stay," O'Connell said. "It also affirms that we are not giving up on our students who need more help to meet this challenge. This settlement ensures that students in the Class of 2006 and beyond who are struggling will continue to get assistance they need to learn the critical skills measured on the exam. Students in our schools today will have to survive in an ever more competitive global economy. We must ensure that every student who graduates has at least these minimum-level skills. Failure to pass the exam simply means that a student's education is not complete. That is why it's important that our state continues to offer students the assistance they need in high school and beyond."

The settlement agreement, which was tentatively approved by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert Freedman last month, was given final approval by the court today. However, in order for the terms of the settlement to take effect, the Governor and the Legislature must approve legislation sponsored by O'Connell – AB 347 by Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara). The measure is designed to ensure that students who fail to pass the CAHSEE and graduate may receive an additional two years of academic assistance from their school districts. The bill is currently pending approval on the floor of the Senate.  

"I applaud Assembly Member Nava for authoring this important bill," O'Connell said. "Assembly Member Nava's leadership will help ensure that students who receive a diploma in California are better prepared to compete in the challenging global economy, whether they are heading to college or directly to a career."

Assembly Member Nava said, "It is important that our young people are given all the necessary tools to pass the exit exam and receive a high school diploma and my bill, AB 347, addresses this need. I want to thank Superintendent O'Connell for his leadership in this area, and making the high school diploma once again relevant in California."

"The fact that the terms of this settlement will not activate until AB 347 becomes law underscores yet again the progress that is on hold while the Senate Republicans refuse to pass a balanced state budget that protects education," O'Connell continued. "I urge the Senate Republicans to come back to Sacramento and finish the job they were elected to do so that this and many other important bills can be considered. Once we have a state budget in place, I urge the Legislature to quickly move AB 347 forward so all our students will receive the academic assistance they need to attain the fundamental skills measured by the California High School Exit Exam."

# # # #

Notice of Certification of Settlement Class, Proposed Settlement, Preliminary Court Approval of Settlement, and Hearing Date for Final Court Approval — DOC (Posted 24-Jul-2007; 43KB; 5pp.) | PDF (Posted 24-Jul-2007; 270KB; 5pp.).

AB 347 [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0301-0350/ab_347_bill_20070712_amended_sen_v92.html] (Outside Source).