Does my being a Deacon bother you?
Not at all. I referenced that to show that I read your "about" page. I consider myself to be a Christian, and your position in your Church is admirable, IMHO.
However, I just have to say that your position in this case is flawed. The fact that most people "just follow the rules" even when the rules make absolutely no sense or are morally wrong, has contributed to the degradation of civil society and education in this Nation.
The SS soldiers in the Death Camps were "just following the rules". Am I to suppose that this is OK with you as well?
This young lady has done the right thing; the GED she gets and her transcript showing advanced classes will stand her in better stead than a "diploma" with the PE requirement fulfilled. To suggest that it would be better for her to submit to (ridiculous) authority is an ill-conceived notion.