Seniors Who Won’t Walk Across the Stage
Many seniors may miss out on moments like the one captured above from the Class of 2009, taken mere moments after walking across the stage. Photo Credit to: Jenica Samiley
May 4, 2010 • Carina Arboleda
Filed under Student Life, Top Stories
According to an article printed by the Baltimore Sun in March, 4,660 students in a class of 53,000 Maryland Seniors are at risk of not walking across the stage. With more than 8 percent of the Class of 2010 at risk of not graduating, many are still in jeopardy with a little less than a month left. Out of the 278 seniors in the Class of 2010, dozens of seniors are currently ineligible to graduate.
Reasons for the dwindling number of seniors graduating vary from community service requirements and failure to pass the HSA.
High school students enrolled in Maryland are required to complete 36 hours of community service in order to graduate. During the last senior class meeting, Ms. Hemby and Ms. Dickerson announced the submission of a list of seniors who have yet to meet the service hour requirements. This list of seniors has been reviewed by both senior counselors and Dr. Cadet to decide what course of action will be taken.
Along with the community service requirement, seniors will not receive their diploma this year because they didn’t pass the Maryland High School Assessment. Any 12th grade student who has failed any HSA Test after two unsuccessful attempts or who has not acquired a 1602 composite score are required to either enroll in summer school or take part in the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation. An alternative to summer school is the completion of a project to supplement a passing score in the HSA.
Known as the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation, students who have not passed an HSA after taking the test twice and are currently participating in a PGCPS extended learning/tutoring program can complete one or more project modules in the content area.
Seniors who are eligible for the Bridge Plan are those who failed to pass the HSA twice, participated in a PGCPS extended learning/tutoring program, passed the HSA-related course, and are making “satisfactory” progress toward graduation.
Contrary to the misconception that the project is easier than passing the HSA test, the Bridge Plan is designed to incorporate core topics tested in each HSA through a series of challenging projects. Once a student is deemed eligible, they must complete either one or more projects based on the student’s highest HSA score in a specific content area. Seniors who choose to do the project receive assistance from a teacher, meeting with them to design an Academic Validation Project Package
For community service matters, contact Ms. Parker located in Guidance and for HSA Testing Status, contact Ms. Sanderson located in the library. Guidance warns that senior dues paid will not be refunded if the student fails to meet graduation requirements.
As May 28, 2010 approaches, many seniors are currently scrambling to complete requirements in order to graduate alongside their peers. The question remains how many seniors will be receiving their diploma at 5:30 PM in the ComCast Center on the campus of the University of Maryland at College Park for the Oxon Hill High School Graduation.
Loading ...
Comments
Feel free to leave a comment...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!