Does anyone think this situation is unfair?

[jlewisinsyr]

I cannot believe people would even...really...I don't even know what to say without getting points.

 

[dakcp2001]

i cannot believe people would even...really...i don't even know what to say without getting points.

ita!!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

At my cousin's school the AP and honors grades are weighted. Regular and special ed classes are weighted the same. Since it is a smaller school most students don't start taking AP classes until junior year.

I think there reasons the NHS students upset because there some scholarships offered by state universities and colleges that are given to students in the top 15% my cousin pointed that out to me right away.Some of these scholarships get awarded in the early summer. Another issue that my cousin mentioned is that the special ed student didn't pass the state high school competency exam. She had that a few students who aren't NHS members are upset that the girl will be getting honors even though she pass the competency exam.

Then they deserve their ranking. Sorry.

I understand why they are upset, I am not addressing that issue. I have a college freshman.

As far as not passing the competency exam, again that is district policy.

Back in TX, you did not pass, you did not graduate.

Here in MO., there is nothing to pass to stop you from graduating. As long as you take the courses required, you graduate.

 

[browneyes106]

Sorry, but I agree that a special ed student who is not taking high school courses should not be ranked in the graduating class.

She's obviously making great grades in her SE classes, but what type of exams are required to graduate? My boys are both in high school and will be taking several gateway exams - a graduation requirement. If OP's state has similar requirements, and this girl doesn't/can't pass them then no matter what her grades are, she shouldn't be ranked in the class. Is she on track for a high school diploma or for a completion certificate?

The problem is, no one can do anything to change the situation without looking like an ***, seemingly being mean to the SE girl. When you take the person out of the equation, it uncomplicates the situation greatly - it would make sense for you to be required to meet all graduation requirements and take high school level classes to be ranked within the graduting class.

Here in New Mexico they have a high school competency exam which is set at 10th grade level that is probably similar to a gateway exam.

 

[browneyes106]

Then they deserve their ranking. Sorry.

I understand why they are upset, I am not addressing that issue. I have a college freshman.

As far as not passing the competency exam, again that is district policy.

Back in TX, you did not pass, you did not graduate.

Here in MO., there is nothing to pass to stop you from graduating. As long as you take the courses required, you graduate.

Oops I meant to type in that post that AP classes are weighted higher than regular classes. I meant to type that regular and special ed classes are weighted the same.

 

[wvjules]

I don't get the "she may have worked just as hard or harder" part. My DD works really hard in ICP and gets a C. Someone else might not work as hard and gets an A? Are we really going to start going by "effort" instead of actual grades? Who judges how much effort one puts into a certain subject? Does the teacher know how much Sally does at home?

 

[FireDancer]

I don't get the "she may have worked just as hard or harder" part. My DD works really hard in ICP and gets a C. Someone else might not work as hard and gets an A? Are we really going to start going by "effort" instead of actual grades? Who judges how much effort one puts into a certain subject? Does the teacher know how much Sally does at home?

Not to mention that isn't how it works in the real world and school is supposed to be preparing someone for the real world. I'd love to go into a board meeting and let them know I tried really hard to not allow a data breach but one happened. They would be unimpressed with my effort and look at my lack of result and I don't blame them, life is about results. Get them or someone else will.

 

[Robindianne]

So do I understand correctly that all those NH students with glasses would also get ranked below those without? Since glasses make it easier for them? Just sayin'

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

So do I understand correctly that all those NH students with glasses would also get ranked below those without? Since glasses make it easier for them? Just sayin'

I love this kind of obtuse post...

 

[tazdev3225]

I have 2 kids that were special ed students. Part of their learning disability was that they had problem with tests. My DS had scores that ranged from village idiot to genius depending on how he played fill in the blanks. He had a processing disorder that made taking tests extremely difficult.
This girl is telling her ranking, so what. I would think it was in response to everyone else sharing their ranks. If I were the parent of this child in question I would be talking to a lawyer. She has fulfulled the requirements for her district therefore she deserves the honors. If these parents do not like the system they need to address that but not at the expense of this student. It is a shame that as a society in general we have losy any sense of compassion for our fellow human beings. IMHO anyway.

 

[robinb]

I love this kind of obtuse post...

Maybe you have to put your glasses on to read it properly .

 

[Robindianne]

This whole topic reminds me of the committees that determine how pure a woman's breeding line was to determine if she was worthy of joining "Daughters of the Republic" or some such nonsense.

Here's hoping the NHS folks keep their senses and see the big picture of what matters most in life, school, college, community, etc.

 

[Allison]

As another poster mentioned, it would be completely wrong to petition to not let this girl graduate with honors. What kind of people would do that?

If someone feels strongly about how the current system works and wants to work towards a change, that is another matter and they can pursue that if it's important enough to them.

To target a specific individual because you don't like how the system works-Nope. They are focusing the petition on the wrong thing.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...It is a shame that as a society in general we have lousy any sense of compassion for our fellow human beings. IMHO anyway.

There are systems in place to help these children, so we clearly have not lost our compassion. I see no lack of compassion, but a desire to correct a flawed metric...

 

[tinatark]

Sorry, but I'm just not understanding how someone who does not meet graduation requirements can be ranked as part of the graduating class?

It's not that she's a SE kid, it's not even that she is not taking high school level classes, but if she has not / cannot pass the exams required to graduate (unless it says she has somewhere within this thread), she is not a "graduating senior" and should not be ranked as such!

In many states, SE kids, and others who do not pass competency exams get "completion certificates" at graduation ceremonies.

Someone who attains and maintains a high GPA should be honored, but in the appropriate venue - maybe there should be special recognition of the highest achieving SE senior students at the graduation ceremony - or, if the high school holds an awards ceremony, there.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...To target a specific individual because you don't like how the system works-Nope. They are focusing the petition on the wrong thing.

And this is why the OP's cousin needs to steer clear - because the students and their parents are going to use this child as an example of how a flawed metric harmed them, but at what cost to that child?

Attack the metric, but leave the SE kid's name out of the discussion. Let the community infer whatever they will, but don't publicly come out against a child who has done nothing wrong...

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

If someone is reading at a 6th grade level - why are they even IN high school?

 

[Allison]

And this is why the OP's cousin needs to steer clear - because the students and their parents are going to use this child as an example of how a flawed metric harmed them, but at what cost to that child?

Attack the metric, but leave the SE kid's name out of the discussion. Let the community infer whatever they will, but don't publicly come out against a child who has done nothing wrong...

I agree completely.

 

[Scurvy]

There are systems in place to help these children, so we clearly have not lost our compassion. I see no lack of compassion, but a desire to correct a flawed metric...

I agree.

I do not think that it is appropriate for the correction to come at the expense of the girl in question. She has earned her spot under the current requirements and shouldn't lose that spot. I definitely agree that the requirements need to be changed to avoid this type of situation happening again. I'm really shocked that they hadn't already taken steps to avoid this sort of thing - situations like this have gotten so much publicity in recent years, I would have thought that all school systems would have changed their systems to be sure that this wouldn't be an issue for them. I do feel terrible if there is one student who will lose a scholarship because of this situation (this is horribly unfair to that student), but I think it would be wrong to try to take this girl's achievement away from her given that she did fulfill the requirements. The system really needs to be changed before next year, though!

 

[browneyes106]

I agree the system needs to be petitoned and the girl's name shouldn't be apart of the discussion but in a small school and town it is likely that name will come out somehow. I will try to encourage my cousin not to get involved.