DAYTON — Kelly Parker believes her daughter deserves to walk across the stage at graduation with her senior class at Thurgood Marshall High School, even if she has not passed the math portion of the Ohio Graduation Test.

Parker said her daughter earned 21 credits, was a good student and worked hard to try to pass the test. She went for tutoring, took the test five times and the last time, Parker said, missed passing by one point.

"She never failed by more than 10 points," Parker said. "Every time it's been close. She will pass. I just want her to be able to march with her class, the people she's been with for four years."

On Monday, May 19, Parker was part of a small group of Thurgood Marshall parents who protested outside the Dayton Board of Education, demanding that seniors who earned enough credits to graduate, but could not past the state exam, be permitted to walk with their classes at graduation.

To receive a high school diploma in Ohio, students must pass the five-part exam in addition to completing all school requirements. Most districts do not allow students to participate in graduation if they have not earned a diploma, but the state leaves it up to each district.

Donald Domineck, another Thurgood Marshall parent, said Dayton should change its policy. He pointed to Kettering, where Fairmont High School does allow students who have met the school's requirements to march at graduation, even if they have not passed the state test.

"The standards are unequal and it is unfair to kids in the city, white or black, who don't have the resources of a Kettering," he said. "If school boards get on board and speak out against the test maybe lawmakers will repeal it."

Dayton schools spokeswoman Jill Moberley said about 135 seniors districtwide have not passed the state exam and cannot attend graduation, including 32 at Thurgood Marshall.

Last year, the district began a summer graduation for students who take test prep classes, retake the exam and pass.

In Kettering, Superintendent Bob Mengerink said the district allows students who have met Fairmont's requirements to walk for graduation.

"We believe our kids have worked very hard and done everything we asked them to do," he said.

"In some cases, they missed by a question or two. This is a huge rite of passage for kids. For them to miss the opportunity to march at graduation with their peers, we think, is wrong," he said. "Most get their diplomas in the summer anyway."

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