Chantell Williamson and Kristen Green are seniors at Meadowdale high School in Dayton, but they may not be graduating seniors. They each failed to pass at least one of the five parts of Ohio’s graduation test, failing by only a few crucial points.
Williamson and Green gathered the 20 credits they needed to graduate from high school, but this year’s seniors are the first seniors, state-wide, who must pass the graduation test.
Dayton school administrators declined to make anyone available to talk about the issue, but sent News Center 7 information estimating that more than 100 seniors district-wide failed to pass at least one part of the test.
The information also stated that students have seven chances to pass the test, starting in their sophomore year. Those students will not be allowed to walk across the stage or participate in graduation ceremonies.
Williamson and Green said they understand that they will not get diplomas, but they believe they should be allowed to be involved.
The two students took their complaints to the school board and said that they have discovered schools in Cincinnati are letting seniors in their situation take part in graduation ceremonies.
News Center 7’s Mike Campbell said that there are a couple dozen students at Meadowdale High School who will not be allowed to graduate.
Meadowdale’s graduation ceremony is set for Monday night at the Masonic Temple on Riverview Avenue.
Dayton school officials said there is also an alternative path to graduation for those who are missing just one part of the Ohio Graduation Test.