Patricia wrote on Oct 13, 2005 7:49 PM:Although I agree that all children should be given the test under the same conditions, I do not agree that a child that has successfully passed all of his/her high school classes should have to pass a final exam in order to obtain their high school diploma. As an adult who attended and graduated from an out of state school, who did not take an exit exam, I went on to college and am successful in my chosen profession. What is the purpose of the exit exam? Children do not grow and develop equally. They should all have a fair opportunity to be successful in life. There are many professional that did poorly in high school. I see this as a strike aganist the disabled. How does a child with special needs compete with an a-typical child? What happened to no child left behind?

Tracy wrote on Oct 13, 2005 10:39 PM:My son is dyslexic. He will always be behind, and will always struggle. His chances, in the long run, are excellent. It just takes him longer to learn, though he is extremely bright. Not only is he behind because of the school district's inability to acknowledge problems for him in preschool years, years he cannot make up the lost time and still stay current with his class. The problems with the exit exams for special ed kids are obvious. I read this article, and felt afraid for my son, and deeply angry. This system doesnt allow for differences, nor does it attone for school failures in the past, that LD kids will continue to pay for in the future.

David wrote on Oct 14, 2005 12:43 PM:I think that the California exit exam is a bad idea for ALL kids. Such examinations should hold the SYSTEM accountable, and not be used to determine if a student will receive a diploma. Even more extensively validated tests used for entrance into universities, such as the SAT and ACT, are not accurate predictors of student success in college--they only account for 25% or so of college student success. Universities are catching on to the lack of predictive validity of these types of assessments and looking at other student factors...so why hasn't the California legislature caught on? Large scale assessments are only good for one thing: holding schools accountable for student achievement. Using them to determine ANY individual student's fate is a perversion of the test's purpose and, more sadly, damaging for students.

Edward wrote on Oct 14, 2005 1:45 PM:I don't understand is why these disabled children are not allowed to receive accommodations, or if they do the results are considered "invalid" and they cannot pass. Aren't disabled students required to receive accommodations so that the test measures what they know, instead of measuring their disability? How could a blind person take the test unless it is either read to them, or it is written in Braille? How could a child with severe cerebral palsy take the test if they can't use their hands? Wouldn't they need some special accommodation to take the test? And why would the test be invalid if accommodations for disabled students are provided? Is it the child's fault the test won't work for them, or is it that the test is unfair? Can our legislators or the Governor answer any of these questions? Or do they, perhaps, need special accommodations to do so.

Catherine wrote on Oct 14, 2005 2:07 PM:As usual, it is unfortunate that policy makers for these laws are neither involved or attune to the real academic processes taking place in our schools today. They only look at the numbers, and make huge changes that unfortunately drastically effect our children's academic progress. It's not clear whether this veto of the Senate Bill by Gov. Schwarzenegger was an act of spite in response to the lawsuits filed in 2002, yet one thing is certain, this law, along with others like it, will continue to open-up a can of the proverbial "worms" and cause further litagation, as parents and advocates alike respond to unrealistic expectations made by policy makers. When will it end? Or should it have ever gotten started in the first place when Special Education became a due process issue. In our society the reality of needing laws as a leveler for the "haves and have nots" unfortunately is everpresent. So were do we turn? I feel the Govt. system needs commitees closely in-tune with the school systems who can analize and determine best practices and over-time recommend changes. Too many changes that lack validity are being implemented in our schools as quick-fix responses. Consideration to the future impact these decisions have on our children's lives should be the deciding factor.

Laurie wrote on Oct 14, 2005 3:31 PM:This is morally wrong. To insist a student with an IQ of 70 or with a learning disability test under the exact conditions is illegal if their IEPs call for modifications and accomodations. This is an outrage.

Rita wrote on Oct 14, 2005 6:43 PM:The bill that was vetoed was poorly written, as was the law that requires the exit exams. A standardized test of basic skills to graduate is a great idea--but should allow for students with IEP's take the test under those conditions set forth in the IEP and allow those results to be valid. A minimum standard is not a bad idea--and for those students who can achieve with accomodations, a passing score on such a test is quite valid recognition. My own son is learning disabled and I do not want him to live in a seperate world, but as a functioning member of society as a whole. Basic skills are necessary, and if he needs more time to take the exam, he will still have learned and mastered those skills. Just allow his score to count. Maybe the next bill the Governor has land on his desk will include this provision.

Joyce wrote on Oct 14, 2005 7:39 PM:Keep in mind that prior to 2005/2006 many middle school and elementary level special education students were taught by teachers who were "not Highly Qualified". The playing field at one time was not leveled, and teachers with waivers and temporary permits were assigned to schools in low perfoming areas and/or low socio-economic areas. Shouldn't special education students who matriculated between 1993 and 2005 be automatically exempted because some were "allegedly" taught by teachers who were not "Highly Qualified". What I am hearing is that we are to ignore how special education students were taught in the past and by whom, and just move forward. I am currently teaching students with autism, MR, SLI, ADHD, ADD, and SLD. I gurantee that All will succeed, because of the new laws, and most importantly, because of their current grade levels. Their anticipated date of graduation from high school is 2015 and 2016. They will be taught by highly qualified teachers.Logistics is hopefully no longer and issue. They will succeed.

Amanda wrote on Oct 16, 2005 4:19 PM:Joyce your comment was the first and coupled with this ridiculous call by a former actor not "highly qualified" to lead a state...I'm physically ill. Who are you to decide what these students can and cannot do. The whole painful and sometimes devistating process of getting your child qualified for Special Education is in an attempt to help these students be successful. The whole idea of accommodations and modifications written on an IEP are to protect childre and make sure that BY LAW they get what they need to be successful. Level playing field...look at the credentials of the man making this decision...there are no level playing fields in education!!!! Problem is friend, that people who don't undersatnd what it's like to look a good hard working kid in the eyes and tell them people think they can do this work so we have to go with it are making the decisions. OPEN your mind and get off the box. From what little I read, you, and the CA politicians have no idea what No Child Left Untested has done to our schools and more importantly....the self-esteem of our children.

Li wrote on Oct 16, 2005 10:08 PM:I am a Special Education teacher who teaches high school seniors with mild to moderate disabilities. Most of my students will not be able to pass the CAHSEE and are afraid of the test and the consequences that it has. Words can not describe the lack of knowledge that this man has when it comes to education and students with disabilities. His actions have also shown his lack of concern for persons with disabiilties. I am sure he is smart enough to realize he is further ruining the futures of hundreds of thousands of youth!

Steve wrote on Oct 17, 2005 7:45 AM:I truly hope that Gov. Schwarzenegger is sued for discrimination. What could he be thinking, if anything?

elsie wrote on Oct 17, 2005 8:09 AM:It is illegal to require students to take an exam without modifications that are written into their IEPs. What was Arnold thinking? How would he like it if he had a child with a disability that had to take a test without accomodations. They don't call it Special education for any reason....it's Special Education because children are given what they need to succeed. I am a special education teacher and not only does this situation upset me, but so does the All Children Left Behind law. I'd like to see law makers get all children up to grade level, including those that are moderate to severely mentally disabled.

mac wrote on Oct 17, 2005 10:53 AM:As I read this announcement outloud to my students-- 2 of them said "Then I might as well quit now. I will drop out before doing that test." They don't want to take the test! yet as a professional , I feel that both could pass IF they attempted. Truly attempted. For too long the sp ed kids have been given a green light to go without trying to meet standards. I have been teaching for 30 years and have seen other states start the Exit exam process and have great success with it. OUR sped kids must met the basic standards set and not be told " oh well honey-- you are special, so the rules bend for you." Will the work fore bend for them too. I think not. The kids who won't even try the test will not hold a job for long either; will quit when it starts getting harder OR when told how to performed. Yes I do realize that for some kids the test will be difficult-- and maybe impossible in some cases- butthey should be MADE to take it and see the scores. I have a girl who missed the math last time by 2 points and she is eager "to see that test again and beat it this time."

beth wrote on Oct 17, 2005 2:29 PM:I think students should be allowed to take these tests WITH accomodations. Even in the workforce people with disabilities are given accomodations (Americans with Disabilties Act(ADA of 1990).

Melissa wrote on Oct 20, 2005 1:14 PM:Shouldn't a highschool diploma mean something? If we give one to everyone who walks through the door, how good is it? Shouldn't there be some skills that need to be learned in order to receive it?

irene wrote on Oct 23, 2005 4:42 PM:these are very cool comments.

tesia wrote on Nov 1, 2005 12:05 PM:I really want the exit exam to be modified.willy you please mofiy it.

Melissa wrote on Nov 2, 2005 12:49 PM:I have a student who has been in special ed since 4/1996. my daughter suffers from retention, auditory and visual processing disorder. I read some comments and really dont understand how people can put themselves in these special ed students shoes and say they should be able to pass this test. My daughter brittany who is in her senior year has worked very hard for 13 yrs. she has more then enough credits to graduate and should be graduating with a medallion. unfortuantly brittany is now faced with this cahsee which she has already tried to pass several times. yesterday was brittany's cahsee test she called me and said she was so overwelmed by this english essay. she cried and said "mom" "all i want is to pass this test so i can get my high school diploma". Who is going to help these kids?? Example - Brittany was enrolled in a cahsee prep class only to have it closed on her because there were only 5 students in attendance. The district will only pay for the class to stay open if there is 15 in attendance.Special Education kids are special they dont have the same learning capability as non - spec ed people. This seems so unfair and unjust. what are the IEP'S in place for? What good are they going to do for the kids in the future. Modifications, accomidations well as far as im concerned if this cahsee stays in place for spec ed kids they will need to be at the same level as regular ed kids. Which we know is really not reality for some spec kids. I hope someone is hearing us parents we are not looking for the easy way out for our kids.They really need help and they need a promising future too!!! Is the future only intended for the intelegent people who have high scores in english and math. I think not. All our kids are special they all have great qualities they just might be in different areas.

Diane wrote on Nov 9, 2005 5:31 PM:I am both a parent and a teacher for students with special needs. I truly believe that Mr Schwarzenegger's ability to understand the needs of special needs students needs some extreme help. IEPs are developed that students with special needs are able to adjust and complete general educational state standards. If you do not have a leg, you do not expect the person to walk across a room without sometype of assistance. Students with special needs also need help to walk across the rooms of education. Mr Arnold doesn't have a clue to what is going on in education. I would love to have him in my class for one day. Then we can talk about what special need students really need to make it.

Cathy wrote on Dec 19, 2005 12:06 AM:My daughter is currently a senior, as a special ed student she has not been able to pass the cashee. This has demoralized her and her self esteem. She has two more chances. During this last exam, she told me that two of her classmates walked out of the testing process and gave up. How sad is that. What are we doing to these children who need more help than most. I hope Arnold never has to look into his childs eyes and see the frustration I see each time she tries this test.

Noelle wrote on Dec 20, 2005 2:55 PM:I am absolutely disgusted by the sense of entitlement exhibited in most of the comments left on this site. A high school diploma is a privilege not a right. It presumes that a person has a certain level of minimal competency in certain academic subjects. If a student does not have this competency then the student does not deserve to have a high school diploma regardless of their excuse or whether the truth is going to hurt their self esteem. You people are perfect examples of why our country has become a nation of incompetent, whining, irresponsible, uneducated, ignorant people. What you really want is to just give a diploma to every person without merit. That is an abomination to everything that is fair and right. If you have not earned a diploma then you do not deserve a diploma regardless of what that means to you or your parents' self esteem.

Tracy wrote on Jan 15, 2006 2:26 PM:so far my son has not been able to pass the exit exam,if he does not pass and get a diploma his doctor suggested that i sue the state of california.

beau wrote on Jan 18, 2006 5:34 PM:the whole exit exam for high school is a whole bunch of balogna. it hink that if they are working hard to get there diploma then they should be able to get there diploma.

bev wrote on Jan 22, 2006 8:57 PM:man my teacher made me write about the exit exam, and im just in middle school, i hate this

stef wrote on Feb 5, 2006 12:56 PM:im kool with it

John wrote on Feb 22, 2006 9:44 PM:I don't like this exam!

Amir wrote on Mar 2, 2006 2:17 AM:I think its not fair. why other states dont have it but california should have it. in the other hand, what about the students who is new in this country and dont know English very well, should he or she dont recieve his/her diploma!!!

Myrna wrote on Mar 10, 2006 1:37 PM:My son is adopted. He was a drug baby. Through no fault of his he has learning disabilities and has trouble with comprehension of what he reads. He never misses school, participates in school actitivies and sports and passes his classes with a C average. He cannot pass the exit exam becaue he cannot comprehend math on any level past basic addition and subtraction. After all this, the State of California is telling him that he is worthless and doesn't even desere a certificate of completion or be able to walk in a gradutation ceremony. The state took my tax money to send him to school but they say he doesn't deserve a thing after 4 years of high school. The "message" they are sending to special ed students is that they are not worth anything - oh but thanks for the money.

Tina wrote on Jun 11, 2006 10:26 PM:As a parent of a special needs child, I am absolutely appalled by this CAHSEE exit testing required for ALL students in order to receive a high school diploma. My son has Aspergers (a form of autism)ADHD, and other learning disabilities. How can he possibly be expected to compete with the class valectictorian?!!! My son has struggled in school since kindergarten, he is now in 10th grade. He has worked very hard and I'm very concerned about him. If he cannot get a HS Diploma, what does he have to work for? What does he have to look forward to? Why should he have to try? Children, especially those in Special Ed need to be rewarded for their hard work!!! This needs to be conveyed to Gov. Schwarzeneggar ASAP! Special Ed Children/teens have to work much harder than regular kids who have it smooth sailing. Not all kids will be going to Yale or Harvard universities. Some will be going to community colleges or into apprentice programs. Some will just prefer to get a job. Not all kids are the same. Everyone has different abilities! Everyone should be given a chance, including those in Special Ed. As long as Special Ed students have the credits needed, passed all their coursework, have good attendance and try their very best on their test, then why not just give them their earned diploma? Accepting Special Ed students into our society is also diversity.

Linda C. wrote on Oct 3, 2006 11:50 AM:Requiring learning disabled students to pass the exit exam as the non learning disabled students DISCRIMINATES against them. It is no different than telling a crippled child in a wheel chair she can not have a diploma because she can't walk across the stage and get it as the other non crippled kids do. That would be unspeakable as is this unfair exit exam. I feel it should be done away with until something else that is fair to all is found. For now a BETTER ANSWER IS TESTING THE TEACHERS....MAKING THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

Cory wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:01 AM:Since I teach at a non-public for the ED, LD, and OHI population, I have a few questions to ask. Isn't our Governor from Austria...doesn't that make him an ELL..or EL if you prefer?Does he need modifications during the day, since he speaks our language so well? When did Jack O'Connell take a Super-Super-Intendant Test? When have any of our Senators taken a Senate test? We know they would fail. Better yet, when did the states testing corporation "NES"- (which puts out the CBEST, CSET, RICA, and a new one on the way) take a test on how to test...testers? How about our third grade reading level President who mentioned the national testing was better for all "children's"...someone may need to be tested on singular and plural words. Until then our great " President's Bush" will lead us to the promise land. Your concerned teacher Cory...

terry wrote on Nov 3, 2007 5:57 PM:I have a wonderful child who has a learning disability and is in danger of not graduating because of this. He has complete all of the other course requirements, and worked extra hard all of his life and felt that he would graduate because of this. We are both very sad at the possibility that he will not graduate with his class. Is he being punished for not being good at taking test? If this test is the only measure by which one is awarded a diapolma than we have fail many kids with special needs that have difficulties with testing. Shame on you governer--I am sure that your children do not have to worry about the test--there in private schools!!! Also, if you do not have a child with special needs how can you understand!!!

sherri wrote on Dec 10, 2007 8:46 PM:Well i was a special ed student and there is no way i could pass the test i am trying to find some help now to teach me now the things thay did not teach me i dont know math i cant read that good i can only spell little words i am 25 years old it is hard for me becase thay did not teach me anything and i have a little girl i have to teach now and i got to get help to so i can teach her it is hard for me i am not saying that every teacher is like thatbut the ones i had was all thay did was let us sleep and have pratys and do what ever we wanted and even if we did not pass thay still put us up until we was out of school and thats was it dont know if anyone can read this that good but thats what it was like and now i am like a baby all over ........ take it from someone who knows

Fed Up and MOVING... wrote on Jan 2, 2008 12:00 AM:I live in Alabama and my son is above average in intelligence, but has a very specific learning disability that keeps him from passing the math portion of the Alabama Exit Exam. He is a senior this year and we are moving next week. We are moving to a State that does not have an Exit Exam. He will be able to complete the last half of the school year and graduate with a regular diploma. This will allow him to enter college without having to get a 16 on the ACT. He is capable of learning all subjects, but the instruction that he has gotten in public school here in Alabama is terrible. I doubt that many of his teachers could pass the Exit Exam. I have no doubt that he will be able to complete at least two years of college at our small community college. Moving three States away will allow him the opportunity to improve his life. I only wish that all of your children had other options. I really understand your concerns.