Should students have to master basic skills to graduate from high school?

Of course. But the state jumped the gun by imposing that requirement -- pass the exit exam, or don't graduate -- on next year's high school seniors and juniors. It's a wise move for the state board of education, as it's expected to do today, to delay imposing that graduation requirement for two years.

First, not all schools offered the appropriate classes and subjects because state content standards weren't in place early enough.

Second, the state was likely facing a costly lawsuit had it forced unprepared students to pass the test.

Those reasons don't undercut the value of the exit exam. Keep it -- because it prods students to apply themselves, and it compels districts to ensure all their students learn.

And equally important, the exam ought to be forcing the state to do its part -- to adequately fund all schools and pay for remedial classes for failing students. Place schools and students on track to succeed so that the test's consequences won't have to be put off again.