Saturday, 8 January 2000

http://www.azstarnet.com/public/dnews/LA0723.html

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A federal judge upheld Texas' high school graduation test yesterday, rejecting claims that the exam discriminates against blacks and Hispanics.
In a ruling that could affect high school exit exams across the country, U.S. District Judge Edward C. Prado said that while more minorities fail the test, there is no proof that flaws in it are responsible.
He also ruled that the state is using the test to identify and fix disparities in education for whites and minorities.
``The system is not perfect, but the court cannot say that it is unconstitutional,'' Prado wrote.
Texas is one of 19 states that require high school students to pass an exit test before graduation. Texas began its exam in 1990, and it is at the heart of the state's education accountability system often cited by Gov. George W. Bush in his GOP presidential bid. Bush took office in 1995.
The Texas exam, which measures reading, writing and math proficiency, is first given to high school students in 10th grade. If they do not pass, they have at least seven more chances to take it before graduation and may continue to attempt it after completing all their class work.
Last spring, 60 percent of black sophomores, 64 percent of Hispanic sophomores and 86 percent of white sophomores passed the test.
The test was challenged by two Hispanic rights groups and several minority students who claimed they were harmed by the test. They alleged that 20 percent of Hispanics and blacks end up failing on all of their attempts, compared with 10 percent of Anglo students.

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