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SFUSD students and staff urge solutions after KC/Casey suspension; district asks state for guidance
Summary
Students, parents and San Francisco International High School staff told the board that suspension of the KC/Casey English exam left several graduates unable to matriculate to four‑year colleges; Superintendent Richard Carranza said the district cannot issue diplomas without state Board of Education direction and will forward testimony to Sacramento.
Scores and tests were a central topic during public comment at the Aug. 11 San Francisco Unified School District board meeting as students and staff described the consequences of the state’s suspension of the KC/Casey English exam.
Julie Kessler, principal of San Francisco International High School, told the board that a handful of students who completed coursework and whose colleges accepted them were denied admission because they had not passed the English KC. "We need another opportunity to take the KC or we need a diploma," Kessler said, asking the district to act so students accepted to four‑year institutions can enroll.
Several students and family members described similar hardship: students who completed classes and received scholarships but were blocked without a credential. One student, Cesar He, said he had been accepted to San Francisco State but could not attend without passing the Casey.
Superintendent Richard Carranza responded that the district was "absolutely with you" in seeking clarity but that local school boards lack authority to issue diplomas without explicit direction from the State Board of Education in Sacramento. He said the district is advocating for clarity and will forward copies of tonight’s public testimony to state education leaders and the state superintendent. Carranza said that issuing diplomas before clear state guidance could risk revocation if the state later required additional requirements.
In the interim, Carranza offered to help affected students by communicating directly with colleges to explain the situation and urged students and families to join district advocacy for a quick state decision.
Board President Marazzi asked staff to draft a letter urging resolution of the issue and to forward the comments to state officials.
No formal board action to issue diplomas was taken; the district framed its next step as advocacy with the State Board of Education and outreach to receiving colleges.
