students wanting to walk across stage without meeting requirment

[LHSEagleFan]

Are there any schools out there having the problem of students who did not meet all requirement for graduation wanting to walk across the stage during ceremonies and recieve a blank diploma.

[shankbear]

Nope but too bad. Call a waaaambulance. The TAKS may be history soon for high schoolers soon.

[JasperDog94]

This is/was an issue in Jasper. I don't know what was decided.

[LH Panther Mom]

I got in on the story late the other night, but the news was talking about a school that the kids were wanting to walk. I did catch an interview with a parent - she was dead set against it, since the rule had always been they weren't allowed.....gotta have consistency.

[burnet44]

bad move in Killeen

Seniors who failed TAKS will walk
Posted on: Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Students and parents yelled, cried and hugged each other Tuesday night when the local school board voted to let seniors who failed the state assessment test participate in graduation ceremonies this weekend.

While the 4-2 vote did not change current Killeen Independent School District policy, it suspended it for this year. Those who will be allowed to walk across the stage must have fulfilled all other requirements except for passing the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test.

Tension filled the KISD board room as System Superintendent Dr. Jim Hawkins, school board members, parents, teachers and Fort Hood representative Col. Victoria Bruzese spent an hour discussing this emotional issue. The boardroom was packed with people, and doors had to be opened to allow for overflow as the audience waited for a final decision.

During public forum, two teachers spoke against letting students walk, and one woman, Kathy Kirkland, represented the parents who wanted their children to participate in their graduation ceremony.

"Tonight you can send them a message that they will remember 10 to 20 years from now. They'll be thinking about this moment," Kirkland told the school board, and was immediately met with loud applause from the audience.

Hawkins and the board members expressed how difficult the decision was to make, even though this policy comes before the board about this time every year. The difference this year was that 174 seniors in the district, or 10.7 percent, failed the test this year, Hawkins said. Last year, 90 students, or 7.3 percent, failed. On a statewide scale, 16 percent of seniors failed the TAKS.

Hawkins said other school districts have been grappling with this same issue: Bryan/College Station upheld its policy to not let seniors who failed TAKS walk, as did Copperas Cove and Temple independent school districts. Belton ISD has always let students who failed the TAKS walk.

"A lot of districts are split; a lot of people are split. Two years ago, I told you that our policy was the best one we could have," Hawkins said before recommending to suspend that same policy for this year's seniors.

He said the recommendation was one he was "forced" to make because the Texas Legislature is considering bills to replace the TAKS requirement with end-of-course exams. Another influencing factor was a bill recently passed to allow special education students to be in graduation ceremonies without fulfilling all their requirements.

Trustee Ron Rainoscek said he opposed the suspension because, of the 156 students who failed the test a second time, 58 of those did not attempt to take it again at every opportunity. Trustee Mike Helm disagreed, saying that if suspending the policy "only helped one kid who deserves it," he was for it.

In the end, Rainoscek and Butch Menking voted against the suspension, and Helm, Terry Delano and Arthur Trujillo voted for it. New school board member Shelley Wells had left before the vote so she could see her husband, Kenny Wells, installed in the Killeen City Council.

That left vice president Joe Maines as the swing vote, and all eyes in the room turned to him as he realized the importance of his vote. If he voted no, it was a tie, the policy would be upheld and the seniors who failed TAKS would not walk this weekend.

After a brief pause to look around the room, he said, "I'm going to vote yes."

The board room erupted into cheers as students and parents heard the decision that had been made. But Helm quieted the crowd and took a stern tone directed at the students.

"Walking isn't it, kids. Graduation is it ... I challenge you to take and pass that test at the next opportunity," he said.

Other board actions made include:

The approval of several new positions in the district.

Approval of 13 technology positions.

Approval to build the district's 31st elementary school with a capacity of 1,000 students.

Dismissal of the administration's recommendation to renovate the board room.

The installment of one new school board member, Shelley Wells, and three incumbents, Helm, Menking and Maines.

[Pudlugger]

Oh yes this is so right. Let's not let these poor children suffer for failing a test that any half educated person should pass. Think about the damage to their self esteem|! They may not grow up to be self entitled socialist penguins and support Global Warming. Oh the humanity! :D :D :D

[LH Panther Mom]

Okay, so because TAKS is probably going by the wayside, it's now OKAY not to have to pass it? Was some "important" person's child one of the ones who failed? What the heck are they going to tell the kids that flunk the end-of-course exams? Sure...it's okay if you don't pass, we'll pretend like you did. :rolleyes: GMAB! What they have taught these kids is that hard work doesn't pay off, being the biggest whiner does. :hand:

[bobcat1]

Originally posted by Pudlugger
Oh yes this is so right. Let's not let these poor children suffer for failing a test that any half educated person should pass. Think about the damage to their self esteem|! They may not grow up to be self entitled socialist penguins and support Global Warming. Oh the humanity! :D :D :D :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[smustangs]

i dont think they should walk if you dont full fill the same requirements everyone else does you dont get the same treatment or rewards

[mustang04]

seriously...if someone can't pass the TAKS...then they shouldn't get to graduate...or walk...or anything

[Emerson1]

Originally posted by mustang04
seriously...if someone can't pass the TAKS...then they shouldn't get to graduate...or walk...or anything
Especially since you have 5 tries before the time you graduate

[burnet44]

taks is being replaced by end of course testing in 2 years

Now
Taks

4 tests

ELA (english language Arts-reading and writing)
Science (IPC-Bio-Chem)
History (Americian-World-W. Geography)
Math (Alg I-Alg 2- Geometry)

End of Course Testing

12 tests
must pass each test to recieve credit in the class

English I
English II
English III
Biology
Intergrated Chemisrty and Physics
Chemistry
American History
World Geography
World History
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II

yeah the Taks is gone
but people dont realize
there will be more testing

12 tests not 4

It will not get better

and schools who let kids walk
will get a lot of transfers
and not kids that will help your scores

derrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[LH Panther Mom]

Originally posted by burnet44
must pass each class to recieve credit in the class


Wow! Isn't that a novel idea? "Back in the day" if you flunked, you repeated the grade. Heaven forbid that a child has to stay back a year and not continue with the same classmates. :rolleyes:

[turbostud]

Originally posted by LHSEagleFan
Are there any schools out there having the problem of students who did not meet all requirement for graduation wanting to walk across the stage during ceremonies and recieve a plank deploma.
I take it you are one of these "students" who did'nt meet the requirements with your spelling of "deploma". LOL.

[smustangs]

Originally posted by LH Panther Mom
Wow! Isn't that a novel idea? "Back in the day" if you flunked, you repeated the grade. Heaven forbid that a child has to stay back a year and not continue with the same classmates. :rolleyes:

i agree you dont pass you dont go on cuz obviously you dont know your material

[BILLYFRED0000]

Originally posted by LH Panther Mom
Wow! Isn't that a novel idea? "Back in the day" if you flunked, you repeated the grade. Heaven forbid that a child has to stay back a year and not continue with the same classmates. :rolleyes:

Oh comeon Mom how are all those polticians going to control our lives if we go back to being self assured and responsible.?

[Emerson1]

Originally posted by burnet44


12 tests not 4

It will not get better

and schools who let kids walk
will get a lot of transfers
and not kids that will help your scores


It's actually more than 4, you take the TAKS test 3 times in HS.

and schools aren't letting them get their diploma. Just walk across the stage since you can't reenact that after summer school

[carter08]

It's not like they're getting a diploma. Let them walk. Their family deserves it after all the money they've spent to try and educate them

[smustangs]

Originally posted by carter08
It's not like they're getting a diploma. Let them walk. Their family deserves it after all the money they've spent to try and educate them

no pass no play thats how it should be i dont care if your parents spent a lot of money if you dont pass you dont walk

[Phil C]

SHOW SOME COMPASSION!

:mad:

[smustangs]

Originally posted by Phil C
SHOW SOME COMPASSION!

:mad:

haha how did i know this was coming from phil

[BullFrog Dad]

Originally posted by LH Panther Mom
What they have taught these kids is that hard work doesn't pay off, being the biggest whiner does. :hand: Actually the kids learn that while hard work pays off in the long run, laziness pays off now!

[Phil C]

Originally posted by BullFrog Dad
Actually the kids learn that while hard work pays off in the long run, laziness pays off now!

JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED!

:mad:

[BullFrog Dad]

Originally posted by Phil C
JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED!

:mad: Phil C, You're Allright! How has PhiI C been doing BTW?

[luvhoops34]

Too bad! If you don't pass the test, you shouldn't be allowed to walk across the stage like the rest of the kids. JMO

[burnet44]

Originally posted by Phil C
SHOW SOME COMPASSION!

:mad:

the state dont show any compassion on your test scores

[LH Panther Mom]

Originally posted by BullFrog Dad
Actually the kids learn that while hard work pays off in the long run, laziness pays off now!
Oh, my bad! :D :doh:

[Emerson1]

Originally posted by carter08
It's not like they're getting a diploma. Let them walk. Their family deserves it after all the money they've spent to try and educate them
They obviously haven't tried very hard. Seniors have 5 chances from the first time they take the exit level as juniors until the time they graduate.

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by Emerson1
They obviously haven't tried very hard. Seniors have 5 chances from the first time they take the exit level as juniors until the time they graduate. But you know how the system works. It's always somebody else's fault.

[Macarthur]

Sad.

You know, I think our education system needs a major overhaul. I think we need to look at the systems that Europe and Japan use. They have a system that splits kids somewhere around 7th grade into academic or vocational routes. Kids that don't want to be in school aren't required to be in school.

We have to git rid of this notion that every kid must be educated regardless of whether they want it or not.

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by Macarthur
Sad.

You know, I think our education system needs a major overhaul. I think we need to look at the systems that Europe and Japan use. They have a system that splits kids somewhere around 7th grade into academic or vocational routes. Kids that don't want to be in school aren't required to be in school.

We have to git rid of this notion that every kid must be educated regardless of whether they want it or not. I couldn't agree more. Instead of forcing everyone to be adequate in all areas, let's focus on what they're good at. I would suggest starting the split in 9th grade.

[DDBooger]

Originally posted by Macarthur
Sad.

You know, I think our education system needs a major overhaul. I think we need to look at the systems that Europe and Japan use. They have a system that splits kids somewhere around 7th grade into academic or vocational routes. Kids that don't want to be in school aren't required to be in school.

We have to git rid of this notion that every kid must be educated regardless of whether they want it or not. crazy i was just talking about that! we can't force people to go to college. gearing everyone for it may not be the choice. Vocational offered a option and a viable one if you ask me! some of these kids who don't know spit in class can make a jet engine out of a lawnmower! lmao. i wish vocational routes were still around as well

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by Macarthur
Sad.

You know, I think our education system needs a major overhaul. I think we need to look at the systems that Europe and Japan use. They have a system that splits kids somewhere around 7th grade into academic or vocational routes. Kids that don't want to be in school aren't required to be in school.

We have to git rid of this notion that every kid must be educated regardless of whether they want it or not.
My boss has been saying this for years. It makes too much sense to work! :rolleyes: :doh:

[Macarthur]

There's a reason why most other developed countries are cleaning our clocks in education.

[sww-bull52]

Originally posted by carter08
It's not like they're getting a diploma. Let them walk. Their family deserves it after all the money they've spent to try and educate them

I spent just as much or more for my 4 kids and they all passed on the first try.
Maybe the parents are partly to blame. I always made sure my kids had homework done, any materials needed and the occasional shoulder to lean on.
You can't just make sure they get off to school everyday. It goes WAY beyond that.

[DDBooger]

Originally posted by Macarthur
There's a reason why most other developed countries are cleaning our clocks in education. true, but alot of them go through brain drain because the lack of jobs employing their field, so in turn many come here where we have a shortage of math and science experts, but lots of $$$$ to throw at research.

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by sww-bull52
You can't just make sure they get off to school everyday. It goes WAY beyond that. You and your crazy ideas.:crazy1:

[sww-bull52]

Originally posted by JasperDog94
You and your crazy ideas.:crazy1:

Sorry...............:doh:

What WAS I Thinkin'?

[EagleFan1997]

I don't know about Canyon ISD but Amarillo ISD does they had a whole lot of mad parents. I don't get why they don't remove the TAKS. I think the kids have worked hard enough throught 12 years of School to walk the stage. Only if they have made the grade

[Emerson1]

Originally posted by EagleFan1997
I don't know about Canyon ISD but Amarillo ISD does they had a whole lot of mad parents. I don't get why they don't remove the TAKS. I think the kids have worked hard enough throught 12 years of School to walk the stage. Only if they have made the grade
That is what they voted to do, won't happen until 2009 though.

[LH Panther Mom]

Originally posted by burnet44
Trustee Ron Rainoscek said he opposed the suspension because, of the 156 students who failed the test a second time, 58 of those did not attempt to take it again at every opportunity.


Originally posted by carter08
Their family deserves it after all the money they've spent to try and educate them :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: So just the parents spending "money" means the kids DESERVE the same privilege as the kids that actually PASSED the test? Over 1/3 of the kids at Killeen didn't even bother to try again. Please explain WHY they deserve to walk.

[Fotbol]

Originally posted by LH Panther Mom
:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: So just the parents spending "money" means the kids DESERVE the same privilege as the kids that actually PASSED the test? Over 1/3 of the kids at Killeen didn't even bother to try again. Please explain WHY they deserve to walk.
My neighbor has a Daughter that attends Killeen High, she's 19 and was to graduate last year, but didn't because of the tasks, He had to continue to pay child support until she's out of school.
As pissed as he was with the Child support, he was even more pissed with the decision. Handouts isn't going to show these kids, responsiblity. He also made a valant point on the parents giving the child everything he or she wants won't be good for a strong society in the future.

[AP Panther Fan]

Originally posted by LH Panther Mom
:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: So just the parents spending "money" means the kids DESERVE the same privilege as the kids that actually PASSED the test? Over 1/3 of the kids at Killeen didn't even bother to try again. Please explain WHY they deserve to walk.


I agree. It takes away from the kids who have actually earned the right, if you ask me. Why make it easier on these guys?

According to Webster's.....

commencement - the act or time of commencing; beginning; start


IMHO...it is the beginning of their future and maybe some just aren't ready yet...well that, or they just don't really give a crap.

[Bull19]

HIGH SCHOOL STANDARDS ARE GOING DOWN THE DRAIN....GIVE IT 10 YEARS AND ALL A PERSON WILL HAVE TO DO TO GRADUATE IS SPELL THEIR NAME....AND THEN THEIR WILL BE SOME DUMB@$$ WHO CANT EVEN DO THAT, SO THEY WILL CRY AND **** ON HOW ITS NOT FARE AND THEN THAT WILL BE CHANGED TO SOMETHING EVEN MORE STUPID..........AND THIS WILL GO ON UNTIL EDUCATION IS TERMINATED

[Black_Magic]

Originally posted by LHSEagleFan
Are there any schools out there having the problem of students who did not meet all requirement for graduation wanting to walk across the stage during ceremonies and recieve a blank diploma. yep it happens all over but not many let them do it. Here they are anounced as Summer graduates I believe. but dont walk across the stage.

[burnet44]

Originally posted by Fotbol
My neighbor has a Daughter that attends Killeen High, she's 19 and was to graduate last year, but didn't because of the tasks, He had to continue to pay child support until she's out of school.
As pissed as he was with the Child support, he was even more pissed with the decision. Handouts isn't going to show these kids, responsiblity. He also made a valant point on the parents giving the child everything he or she wants won't be good for a strong society in the future.

agreed

question?

he pays till she is out
if she walked and didnt pass does he have to pay
or does she actualy have to get a diploma?

Im just wondering


good post my man

[DDBooger]

GET THIS! my mother and some other teachers i know have seen many parents pushing for their children to be labeled special ed. in order to collect a larger stipend from the govt. eww that pissed me off:mad: a few cases doesn't indicate a majority but i'd love to talk to those parents!

[burnet44]

Get This part deaux

My wife has 3 more weeks in school
they had construction and started late

other schools are out

She had kids checking in from the other schools that were done
so they can get 3 weeks of free day care


there is a lot wrong with the system

[DDBooger]

Originally posted by burnet44
Get This part deaux

My wife has 3 more weeks in school
they had construction and started late

other schools are out

She had kids checking in from the other schools that were done
so they can get 3 weeks of free day care


there is a lot wrong with the system exploitation doesn't always come from above sometimes from below!

[piratebg]

The same thing is happening in Sinton. I think it was a 4-3 vote in favor of letting those who failed the TAKS test walk across. They are not receiving their diploma but I believe they are being allowed to walk.

[carter08]

Why not?

This is America. We already are being pushed down a road of political correctness. What is more equal than giving everyone the same oppurtunities. So what if someone failed the easiest test in the world 5 times. At least they tried. They didn't try hard of course, but they didn't drop out. Let them walk, because God forbid we treat people differently just because they didn't apply themselves.

[sww-bull52]

Originally posted by carter08
Why not?

This is America. We already are being pushed down a road of political correctness. What is more equal than giving everyone the same oppurtunities. So what if someone failed the easiest test in the world 5 times. At least they tried. They didn't try hard of course, but they didn't drop out. Let them walk, because God forbid we treat people differently just because they didn't apply themselves.

Go back and read where alot of the kids chose to not take the test again.

[smustangs]

i think its a joke kids and paretns alike wanting to walk. its pretty simple if you dont pass you dont walk it really is a simple idea

[LH Panther Mom]

Originally posted by carter08
Why not?

What is more equal than giving everyone the same oppurtunities.
They HAD the same opportunities to pass the test....in fact several MORE opportunities than some. "Walking" across the stage isn't "graduation" - that only comes with the DIPLOMA. Maybe it's just me, but I would be too embarrassed to walk across and have everyone there SEE that I wasn't getting a diploma.

[STANG RED]

I saw on the news a couple nights ago where the Abilene School Board shot it down. Despite the crying and complaining by students and parents, 49 Cooper and Abilene High seniors will not be walking across the stage. It was also explained that these students would still have two more chances to pass the test.
I must say, I applaud the AISD for having the balls to make a decisions many other school districts will not make.

[BuffyMars]

Originally posted by DDBooger
GET THIS! my mother and some other teachers i know have seen many parents pushing for their children to be labeled special ed. in order to collect a larger stipend from the govt. eww that pissed me off:mad: a few cases doesn't indicate a majority but i'd love to talk to those parents!

My mom worked as a school nurse in Karnack and she saw alot of that down there.

And this is a bit off topic, but when I worked at Tyler ISD (it was one of those el. ed. advanced placement schools or something) and they didn't call it "Special Ed" (which I was happy about) but they called it ALEC (which I can't remember what that stands for now). They mainstreamed the kids in ALEC into regular classrooms for things such as science, PE, art, and here is the kicker: SPANISH.

I forgot to mention, some could barely speak english, let alone a 2nd language.

I had a really hard time swallowing that! I loved them going to PE and art, but spanish!!! Some of these kids would have benefited so much more from time with a speech pathologist, or an occupational therapist OR something useful to their development! :mad:

Now, back on topic. I agree. I don't feel that any child who has multiple attempts to pass a test and fails to do so should be allowed to walk.

I also agree that that test is NOT that hard. I never had to "prepare" for the TAAS test. I didn't study for it. I just took it, and did well. If kids are going to school and the teachers are doing their jobs and the kids are listening then it shouldn't be too hard.

And (this may have changed since I was in school) if you failed a portion of the test, you only had to take that portion of the test over.