Since we have expanded the "Passions" forum to include just about everything (Way to go, LKS), here's something else:

Here in California, some students sued to void the state's requirement that they pass a statewide exit exam-they have to pass in English and in math, or they don't graduate, even if they have passed all their classes and have enough credits to graduate.

A trial court went along with them, but the Supreme Court reversed, in effect saying that they do have to pass the exit exam.

Sounds like a bunch of whiners, except you have to remember that not all schools are alike, in fact, extreme differences exist in the curriculum and quality of education from school to school. So the schools perpetuate the class differences, rich and middle income students get great education or at least quality education, but the poor kids get much less. The kids in the suit said that the exit exam included material that they had never seen before. Any comments?

Several years ago, a suit was filed to challenge the way schooling is funded, and askign that all schools receive equal funding. The late Johnny Cochran was involved, but that case has fallen off my radar screen. Has anyone heard of it?

I've been reading about the exit exam. I can see it in college, especially for advanced degrees, but for high school? I think that it'd be better to tie it in with funding and make the test mandatory but advisory in nature. That is - you have to take it, but the results only affect the school you went to.

After all, if the intent is to make someone accountable for education, it seems that the school system is that "someone".

We are going through a bit of the school finance stuff here in Kansas. The state Supreme Court ruled that the way funds were distributed was unfair to small or low income districts and that education was underfunded by the state. Big deal in Topeka (that's our capital). I haven't followed it too closely since our son is 22 now.

I agree that the "someone" is the educators.

It's difficult to expect all or most high school seniors to take a test seriously if you tell them that it is only for "advisory" purposes, otherwise I agree with your comments.

Sounds like the same kind of lawsuit was filed in Kansas, and probably your Supreme Court made the right decision, especially that more funding has to be provided.

Kansas, the progressive state.