Governor Gray Davis
300 South Spring Street
South Tower, Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Dear Governor Davis,

Hello. My name is Sarah Flanigan and I am a student attending Santa Monica High School, which is one of the many schools having to take the High School Exit Exam (HSEE). I think that you should take my letter very seriously because this test will affect my career, future and the rest of my life. I believe that students starting with the class of 2004 should not have to take this unimportant test.

I strongly disagree with taking the HSEE because it’s unfair to poor students who go to poor schools. There are a lot of schools that have money problems that don’t allow them to have the proper equipment for students to get a good education. The money that the state is spending on this test can go to improve their education by buying them books and proper educational equipment for each subject.

There is another thing that bothers me about the HSEE. It is that the state is making special education students take this exit exam. Special education students have not yet gathered the required knowledge to take this exit exam. By making them take this Exit Exam you will cause them to feel depressed. They are being compared to kids without learning disabilities who, on average, are better test takers.

I acknowledge that the state is giving this test because it will show that students are learning and that our education is set at high standards. I respect decisions of the state and that you are only trying to help. However, I think that all of the hard work and tests we go trough to get good grades should be enough to show the state that schools are teaching at high standards and students are getting a proper education.

I understand that the state thinks that by taking it, it will better prepare us for the outside world. But actually, I do not understand how it does. It tests our Math and English skills, but that is not all we need to be good at if we want to achieve our goals in life. If you really want to better prepare us for the outside world you can test students on other skills such as artistic ability, science, business, computer and so on. Only testing students in Math and English is not a good idea because some kids are better skilled in different categories than others. Most kids will make it to big leagues without this exit exam.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter about why I strongly disagree with taking this High School Exit Exam. I would greatly appreciate it if you, Gray Davis, the Governor of my state, would listen to my thoughts and ideas and take my letter to cancel the Exit Exam into consideration. Also keeping in mind that in a couple of years when you want to run for office again, I will be able to vote and could change my mind to vote for you. If you do not take some action and try to do something for my fellow students, my vote will not go to someone who does not listen to the small voices of California.

Sincerely,

Sarah Flanigan