(a)
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, on or before August 1, 2003, the State Board of Education may delay the date upon which each pupil completing grade 12 is required to successfully pass the high school exit examination as a condition of receiving a diploma of graduation or a condition of graduation from high school to a date other than the 2003–04 school year if, in reviewing the report of the independent study, the State Board of Education determines that the test development process or the implementation of standards-based instruction does not meet the required standards for a test of this nature.
(b)
After August 1, 2003, the State Board of Education may not delay the date upon which each pupil completing grade 12 is required to successfully pass the high school exit examination as a condition of receiving a diploma of graduation or a condition of graduation from high school.