After a three-day weekend and three days before most Kern County high school seniors would take their graduation walk, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell could not be found in his Sacramento office. It was May 30, and O'Connell was on the road, stopping first in Bakersfield and later in Fresno, to deliver a message to all California high school seniors, "We remain focused on making certain every student has every opportunity to prepare for and pass the California Exit Exam (CAHSEE)." O'Connell made Bakersfield his first stop on a statewide tour to discuss the status of CAHSEE and to help students who have yet to pass the exam. His visit came just days after the State Supreme Court upheld the validity of requiring California high school students to pass the Exit Exam in order to graduate with the class of 2006. Commenting on what lies ahead O'Connell said, "Later this summer, we look forward to arguing the merits of the exam before the Court of Appeal. I am confident that the Exit Exam will remain in effect for the Class of 2006, the Class of 2007 and beyond, because the exam is helping create a better future for our students and our state." More