Posted on 03/31/2006 1:14:02 PM PST by BurbankKarl
BURBANK -- For seniors at John Burroughs High School, graduation is no small affair. A recent decision by the Burbank Unified School District Board of Education, however, has some worried that their stroll across the stage will lack meaning.
A group of students who showed up en masse at last week's school board meeting, claim the decision to allow seniors who have not passed the California High School Exit Exam to walk at graduation compromises the integrity of one of the most important ceremonies of their lives.
"We feel [graduation] is a big deal," said 18-year-old Scott Hanson. "They basically said it wasn't. "[The decision] devalued all the accomplishments of the kids who have managed to pass the exam."
The board reached the decision on Feb. 16, after reviewing the issue for three consecutive meetings. At the meetings a number of students who feared they would not pass the exit exam spoke about their struggles with the test and the shame and embarrassment they would feel if barred from the graduation ceremonies.
It was not just their testimony alone that the board considered, said board member Debbie Kukta. "We talked to principals and teachers and parents," Kukta said. The decision allows students who have met all the district's graduation requirements, but failed to pass the exit exam, to participate in graduation ceremonies and to receive a certificate of completion.
There are 118 students in Burbank who have yet to pass the exam. Forty of those are special education students; 46 are English language learners.
More liberal "feel good" crap. No wonder our schools are going down the toilet...
Next, they'll sue to get jobs for which they are not qualified. Oh, wait; I forgot. They've already done that and won.
Perhaps those that passed should stage a protest graduation.
You know, I don't know how much longer this country can last under this kind of thinking.
Glad I won't be here in 2030.
My California HS allowed everyone in the Senior class to walk at Graduation ceremonies -- that was over 20 years ago. Everyone knew there were some present who hadn't "finished", yet, but we didn't begrudge them the festivities as it was the last time most of us would see each other.
Everyone crossed the stage and got one of those special folders custom-made for the diplomas, but they were all empty so everyone had to stay to the very end. Afterward, everyone had to line up backstage where the actual diplomas were handed out.
There were 520 of us and, IIRC, only about 20 weren't "officially" graduating at that ceremony. Most of them had just one or two classes to make up, and were doing it over the summer. A few had more to do and probably had to come back for a final semester in the fall. I can't verify whether all of them actually finished up, but I'd be surprised if it were more than just one or two that didn't. The drop-out types had all dropped out, by this point, so the ones that remained were mostly kids with a mind to get the job done.
All that being the case, at the collegiate level, I wouldn't make the same concession.
You're going to love this publik skool story...
At UC's, there are so many more undergraduate students that they allow anyone appropriately dressed (you know, the typical graduation robes) to participate. Everyone lines up, grouped by major. You write your name on a piece of paper, and they will read what you wrote as you cross the stage and receive your empty diploma folder. This way the school can handle the thousands of graduating students without having to organize alphabetical orders or prepare for absent students.
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