Wis. Governor Calls for Local High School Exit Exams

By Lonnie Harp

Gov. Tommy G. Thompson last week challenged Wisconsin lawmakers to take on a novel school-reform agenda that would mandate local high school exit exams and forge new links between schools and the state's colleges.

The third-term Republican governor said in his annual State of the State Address that despite having already passed a host of controversial school reforms, legislators still have problems to face.

"We've accomplished proud achievements in our schools," Mr. Thompson said. "But we must ask ourselves: Is...