The state Senate today approved a bill to block implementation of the Rendell's administration's proposed high school graduation exams.

The bill, introduced by state Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, would require the Legislature to approve any changes in graduation requirements. It now goes to the state House.

If it is approved, the bill would render ineffective the administration's recently awarded $201 million contract to develop the Keystone Exam. Ms. Orie and others, who have criticized whether the exam is necessary, were upset that the Department of Education went ahead with the contract without any involvement from the Legislature.

Mr. Orie said in a news release the vote "sends a clear message."

"At a time when Pennsylvania faces a $3 billion deficit, we cannot afford to commit funding to an unproven and unneeded test," Ms. Orie said.

Gov. Ed Rendell, who strongly supports the graduation exams, repeated today that he would veto the bill if it is approved by the House. That passage is questionable, however, since Democrats control the House.

Mr. Rendell again blamed "the unions," especially a teachers' union, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, for heading up the opposition to the exit exams. He said the business community, the school boards association and other groups support the new tests.

"It's the unions that are driving this (opposition)," he said. "It's really something to see those rough, tough Republicans (in the Senate) doing what the unions want."