California Offers Long-Term Help on Exit Exams

As soon as they apply for it, California school districts will be eligible to receive a share of more than $70 million for supplemental instruction and counseling services targeting students who have reached the end of senior year without passing the state’s high school exit exam, under legislation signed this month by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The measure allowing students to receive up to two years of extra help beyond the 12th grade year brings to an end a lawsuit against the state, Valenzuela v. O’Connell , filed by students who had repeatedly failed the test, but had met other graduation requirements. ( "California Seniors Sue Over High School Exam," Feb. 15, 2006.)

In addition, the Republican governor included more than $188 million in the current fiscal year’s budget for summer and after-school programs to help students prepare...