Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Graduation Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents, educators urge Del Valle ISD to allow seniors to walk despite delayed STAAR results
Summary
Educators and family members told the Del Valle ISD board that local policy barring students without final STAAR results from walking at commencement will exclude '40 plus' seniors; speakers asked the board to make a one-time exception and to review policy F.MH for future ceremonies.
Parents, educators and a student’s family urged the Del Valle ISD Board of Trustees to let seniors participate in graduation ceremonies when state STAAR test scores arrive after the ceremony.
Nola Lafayette, a Del Valle science educator, told trustees that her daughter completed the 26 credits required for a distinguished-level diploma but cannot "walk the stage" because the final STAAR result will be available the day after graduation. Lafayette said the situation affects "40 plus other students" and called the application of the district policy "heartbreaking." She asked the board to let students participate in the ceremony and delay formal diploma issuance until test results are finalized.
Another commenter, Kate Meehan, called the scheduling and enforcement of the local policy an "administrative failure" and encouraged trustees to make an exception for this year and review the rule going forward. Shannon Seaton, whose niece Rowan is affected, described the family's disappointment and urged the board to reassess the policy so future students are not excluded from what families view as a key rite of passage.
The board did not vote on an immediate exception during the meeting. Trustee Sierra later requested a future agenda item to examine policy F.MH and whether it conflicts with state rules; the board agreed to place a policy review item on a future agenda.
