(a)
The State Department of Education, with the approval of the State Board of Education, shall contract for an independent study regarding the requirement of passage of the high school exit examination as a condition of receiving a diploma of graduation and a condition of graduation from high school. A final report based on the study shall be delivered to the Governor, the chairs of the education policy committees in the Legislature, the State Board of Education, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on or before May 1, 2003.
(b)
The scope of work and the final contract for the independent study required pursuant to this section shall be approved by the State Board of Education. The study shall include, but not be limited to, examination of whether the test development process and the implementation of standards-based instruction meet the required standards for a test of this nature.
(c)
Funding for the independent study required by this section shall be provided for in the annual Budget Act.