ALERT: LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST CALIFORNIA OVER HIGH STAKES TEST
Lawsuit Alleges State Exit Exam Discriminates
OAKLAND, California. May 8, 2001/Mercury News.
“In unprecedented action that could eventually affect hundreds of
thousands of disabled students statewide, Disability Rights Advocates
filed a lawsuit Tuesday against California’s Department of Education,
challenging its high school exit exam, which they say discriminates
against those with learning disabilities.”
“The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, charges that the exam
discriminates because it provides no alternate assessment, no procedure
for requesting accommodations and no process for appeals.
The suit claims the exam tests disabled students on material that they
have never been taught. As a result, the lawsuit says, the department has
“created chaos and confusion.” The lawsuit seeks corrective action to
remedy these alleged flaws in the system …”
“In addition to the state Department of Education and Superintendent
Delaine Eastin, the suit, specifically, names Fremont Unified School
District and its superintendent, Sharon Jones. One of the three student
plaintiffs, 13-year-old Juleus Chapman, attends Fremont’s Hopkins Junior
High School.”
“The suit was also filed on behalf of the Learning Disabilities
Association of California.”
For more information about this important case about “high stakes
testing,” go to:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/news/2001/CA_highstakes.htm
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