“The soft bigotry of low expectations.”
L
Circa 1965, Washington DC high schools... if one had an outstanding public library book one would not be allowed to attend grauation ceremonies regardless of academic achievements. And, IIRC, the actual diploma was withheld until a parent brought in proof that the book had been returned and fines paid. Fines were about a nickel a day per book.
Don’t know if this was in effect city wide
or at the discretion of each HS principal.
How times have changed.