Exit exam under fire

California’s exit exam could be suspended, if Democrats in the Legislature have their way. The proposal is in a budget-balancing bill.

When the state is making cuts that could lead to a shorter school year, fewer teachers and larger class sizes, it doesn’t seem realistic to expect the same results as before the cuts,” said Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Baldwin Vista (Los Angeles County), in a statement.

Dropping the exit exam doesn’t save much money, reports the Sacramento Bee.


The proposal is expected to save less than $10 million per year statewide, unless schools supplement that sum by reducing or eliminating remedial programs for low-achieving students.

In other words: Instead of giving extra help to students with poor reading and math skills, let’s just give them worthless diplomas.

Gov. Schwarzenegger says he’ll veto the provision.