This class action suit by Massachusetts public school students challenges the nature of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam and its use as a graduation requirement. Public school students must pass this high stakes test in order to receive a high school diploma as of 2003. The plaintiffs are public school students in the Class of 2003 who failed the 10th grades MCAS exam and cannot receive a high school diploma. The class includes African-American students, Hispanic students, students with limited English proficiency, students with disabilities, students attending vocational technical education schools, and Holyoke School District students. The genesis of this lawsuit is the purported calculated and unlawful use of the exam to cover up historical and continuing failure of state and local education agencies and officials to ensure that all public school students receive the mandated high quality education. It seeks injunctive relief to bar the use of the exam as a graduation requirement in 2003 and thereafter. It also seeks a declaratory judgment that current use of the exam violates federal laws, several U.S. Constitutional provisions, the Massachusetts Constitution, and the Massachusetts Education Reform Act, and it seeks injunctive relief requiring state education officials to provide professional development to help public school teachers meet the educational needs of the plaintiffs. (SM)