Cancer survivor stunned by attention over graduation denial

WTOP News (Washington DC) ^ | 29 May 2016 | TERRY TANG

[frog in a pot]

Bert, you are probably a nice guy, however, precedent should be applied only to essentially similar circumstances. As a trained engineer, you are certainly able to distinguish between a student that screwed around the last year of high school, and one who was a few credits short by virtue of a life threatening event. Further, the student in question wasn't asking to graduate, only that he be allowed to dress like and sit with the classmates that had supported him during and after the life-threatening event.

Your second sentence is not at all relevant nor does it support your viewpoint. I will wager there are indeed programs across the nation that allow a student who is short a few credits to "graduate". But again, that is not in issue here.

Your third sentence could be stated: "Those who uniformly apply zero tolerance enforcement to the rules are almost certainly hillary supporters."

Why is that? Because it is government that sets the rules (in this context) and she is committed to an all powerful, totalitarian form of government that is not to be disobeyed by the common folks.

[HollyB]

He didn’t expect to get his diploma. But was giving a speech and wanted to wear it. He graduates in December.

[HollyB]

But you are right, this young lady (Meghan Allen) got the disease (AML) twice and a bone marrow transplant in high school. This is her story. She’s pretty amazing. I believe he had ALL.

“This amazing young lady on day +316 BMT walked across the stage with her fellow classmates. She fought AML 2 times while in high school. First during her freshman year and again at the end of her junior year. She still graduated on time. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her as she started college in the fall, on her way to becoming a nurse. Through her experience she decided she wants to help others. She is a true Warrior and forever my hero. I can’t express how proud I am, love you more than you’ll ever know Meg.”

[antceecee]

BS! He deserves to walk with the class...friends and associates he studied with. That is the key in all of this. You would have him walk with those who do not know him and do not share his journey. Crock of shat!

[antceecee]

Love button hit multiple times!

[HollyB]

I agree with you. The ‘hillary supporter’ name calling being slung around in an Alynski ridiculing manner is getting a little old these days. It’s like, is that the best argument they have? I’m seeing it more and more. Ugh

[COBOL2Java]

There are some people in life who are “da rules is da rules” absolutists, who refuse to give an inch in situations such as this, and in so doing,declare themselves to be oh so morally superior. To me, they’re no better than the Pharisees of Jesus’ time, who would refuse to provide critical aid to a neighbor on the Sabbath.

[TXnMA]

"Despite having some sympathy for the boy, I question how his guidance counselors allowed him to start his final semester, or even the one before that, knowing he would be short credits for graduation. "

~~~~~~~~~

I often marvel at the imbecilic statements that are made here, but the above is a marvel among marvels!

The purpose of attending school...

• is not -- to receive a piece of paper during a public ceremony.

• nor is it -- to wear a traditional costume (cap & gown)

• nor is it -- to participate in a garbed parade with one's peers.

All of the above are mere emotional irrelevancies.

~~~~~~~~~~

The purpose of attending school is to obtain knowledge to prepare one for a productive and rewarding adult life.

Why, then do you advocate having a "guidance counselor" use the above irrelevancies to deny (or impede) a student's right to pursue the basic purpose of education?

~~~~~~~~~~

The superficiality of your comment (like much of this thread) typifies the abysmal degradation of thought and discourse that has characterized FR in recent years.

And, it also enlightens as to how FR and this nation have reached their present political state.

[chrisser]

Why, then do you advocate having a "guidance counselor" use the above irrelevancies to deny (or impede) a student's right to pursue the basic purpose of education?

Honestly, I don't know where you're coming from with this.

I was in high school about 30 years ago. In my Junior year, my guidance counselor and I went over my accrued classes and my plans for the final year to be certain I was on track to graduate on time, and with the required credits in the required subjects. We went through the process again at the beginning of my senior year, and touched base midway through the last semester to make sure everything was on track for my graduation. I don't understand why expecting that in this case is such a crazy idea. Certainly, if I was in my senior year, and didn't have the credits to graduate lined up, any non-credit extracurriculars would have been strongly discouraged, and it would have been made crystal clear that I wouldn't be graduating with my class without meeting those requirements.

Surely, at least in a public high school, there should be some basic standards that a student must meet in order to obtain a diploma, and conversely, they can't spend 10 years in high school funded by the public pursuing whatever whims might find their fancy. Core curricula and credit hour requirements might not de facto guarantee the acquisition of knowledge, but they're pretty much the best we have, especially, in the case of high school, where, besides being mandatory by law, 3/4 or more of the student body is juvenile and likely unqualified to decide for themselves on their own what courses should be taken.