The state Senate yesterday took action aimed at derailing the state board of education's proposal to require students to pass competency exams to earn a high school diploma.

The Senate yesterday voted 48-2 in favor a bill that would give the General Assembly, not the state board, the authority to impose any new graduation requirements.

It may be difficult, however, to win similar approval in the Democrat-controlled House, and it is possible that Gov. Ed Rendell would veto it.

Chuck Ardo, spokesman for Mr. Rendell, said:

"We are disappointed in the Senate action, which circumvents the traditional regulatory process and places our children's education in the partisan arena of capitol politics."

The graduation competency exams have been controversial since they were proposed. More than 20 statewide organizations and more than 100 school boards are against them.

The proposal calls for students -- beginning with the class of 2014 -- to pass six of 10 "graduation competency assessments" in math, language arts, social studies and science; the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests; Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams; or a local assessment that independent evaluators certify is equivalent to the graduation competency assessments.

School districts can choose which of the options, or combination of options, they will accept.

The proposal also calls for remediation in high school.

The proposal still had a way to go in the regulatory review process. It was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, triggering a 30-day public comment period that ended yesterday. There are other reviews, including those by the House and Senate, before the state board would vote again some months from now.

One of the biggest supporters of the exams is the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.

"We urge legislators to respect the regulatory review process and oppose attempts to shut down any opportunity to provide feedback," said Joan Benso, president and chief executive officer of the organization.

There also is another bill that has been introduced in the House, but it has not yet received committee consideration, she said.

She said the state board has had a "very open and deliberate process," making some changes since it was first discussed last year.

She said those who oppose the exams have failed to suggest a viable alternative to ensure students graduate prepared. She said many students have to take remedial courses when they arrive at college.

"The data is pretty compelling that over 45 percent of our children are graduating from high school, unable to score a passing score on our statewide assessments," Ms. Benso said.