Vote to Award Diplomas Defies State Testing Policy

By John Gehring

While it doesn't amount to throwing tea into Boston Harbor, a decision by the Cambridge, Mass., school committee to grant diplomas to students who haven't passed state exams signals that dissent remains strong over high-stakes testing in the Bay State.

State education officials are not amused, and have said the law is clear: Beginning with the class of 2003, students must pass the English and math portions of the state assessment, or they won't get a diploma.

With a gubernatorial race looming in November, and public discontent over the exams persisting, the issue statewide is not...