Texas high school forced to postpone graduation ceremony after just FIVE of 33 students were eligible: Teachers blame poor attendance and grades

• Marlin High School in Texas postponed graduation from May to June   
• The month delay was to give 28 students more time to reach requirements 
• Outraged parents say their children were told they were on track to graduate 

A high school located in Texas has been forced to postpone its commencement after just 15 percent of the senior class reached the requirements to graduate. 

In a letter sent to parents and families, Marlin ISD Superintendent Darryl Henson said most seniors did not make the cut due to low grades and attendance records. 

District officials have postponed the ceremony to June in order to give students the time to catch up and hopefully check the boxes needed to obtain their diplomas. 

‘As a school district, we really want to make sure we’re making the best decision in the interest of all children,’ Henson told KCEN News. 

The postponement of the major ceremony comes after the district had already announced a four-day school week aimed at increasing attendance. 

In 2020, Marlin ISD lost their official accreditation from Texas after the district received an ‘F’ grade for accountability in 2019.  

‘As a school district, we really want to make sure we’re making the best decision in the interest of all children,’ Marlin ISD Superintendent Darryl Henson said 

Marlin High School in Texas has been forced to postpone its commencement after just 15 percent of the senior class reached the requirements to graduate

In a letter sent to parents and families, Marlin ISD Superintendent Darryl Henson said most seniors did not make the cut due to low grades and attendance records

The district initially said just 15 percent of the class was eligible initially but that after a first warning was sent out, several additional students have met the standards. 

As of May 25, the number has increased to 17 out of 38, still less than half. 

The superintendent said he hopes the rest of the class will be able to meet the requirements in time for the new June graduation date. 

During a mandatory Wednesday meeting with parents of seniors at Marlin High School, Henson blamed failed courses and kids skipping classes for the low number.

Parents expressed outrage throughout the meeting, saying their children were told they were on track to graduate only to find out otherwise in the last week. 

The discovery regarding the number of eligible seniors was made only during a recent audit of students’ grades and attendance. 

‘Everything we have done, and will continue to do, is for the benefit of our children,’ Henson said on Wednesday evening, talking with angry parents.

‘I would rather have the emotions now. I would rather have everyone be upset now, rather, than having to call you back in January of ’24 and telling you that the diploma you received is not worth the paper it is printed on.’

‘We hold firm to our belief that every student in Marlin ISD can and will achieve their potential. We maintain high expectations, not as an imposition, but as a show of faith in our students abilities,’ Henson said. 

In a flyer sent out to families, the district pressed on the importance of attendance.   

‘Regular school attendance is a powerful predictor of student success,’ they said. 

Marlin High School seniors stand outside a meeting held Wednesday for parents 

The district initially said just 15 percent of the class was eligible initially but that after a first warning was sent out, several additional students have met the standards

The district initially said just 15 percent of the class was eligible initially but that after a first warning was sent out, several additional students have met the standards

https://youtube.com/watch?v=amBw8bGF4bQ%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US

The announcement sparked backlash from parents whose children did meet the cut and those who blamed ISD for waiting so long to audit the requirements. 

‘Marlin ISD should be SHAMED and ASHAMED,’ a Facebook user wrote. 

‘Let the five graduate, on time! This is BULL that you penalized the students whom put in the effort, because the bulk of the students are FAILURES,’ they continued. 

‘The fact that you waited so long to run audits on the graduation requirement baffles me. There are only 33 seniors,’ another added. 

‘Why on earth would you ever punish kids that have worked hard and done what they’re supposed to in order to graduate,’ Shelley Golden responded. 

‘This should have been known 6 weeks ago at least!! #Nocommunication.’  

‘The 5 that’s passed should be able to walk and graduate! They are not responsible for the mistake and oversight of others,’ another person shared. 

The attendance predictor is a major reason Marlin ISD decided in April to move to a four-day school week for 2023-2024. 

For the upcoming year, students will still attend school every first Friday of the month as well as every Friday in August, January, and May.

District officials said they believe this will help craft a ‘Strong Start, Strong Finish.’

‘The adoption of a Four-Day Week Calendar is a significant step towards providing students with a well-rounded educational experience, while also meeting the needs of teachers and staff,’ Henson said. 

‘We are excited to see the positive impact this change will have on the community of Marlin,’ he added. 

Chief Academic Officer Nikisha Edwards echoed his statement at the statement. 

‘High standards serve as a benchmark for quality education and ensure that schools remain accountable for delivering high-quality instruction,’ Edwards shared. 

‘I would rather have the emotions now. I would rather have everyone be upset now, rather, than having to call you back in January of ’24 and telling you that the diploma you received is not worth the paper it is printed on,’ Henson said Wednesday

https://youtube.com/watch?v=56G9Yh6L0go%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US

In 2020, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) revoked the accreditation of Marlin Independent School District following an audit of the district. 

‘The accreditation status is based on the academic accountability rating and financial ratings from the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas,’ TEA stated.

‘A status of Not Accredited-Revoked means the district exhibits deficiencies in performance that have led to the revocation of the district’s accreditation status,’ Interim Marlin ISD Superintendent Dr. Jean Bahney said at the time. 

That revoked accreditation followed a 2019 accountability rating of F and a rating of ‘academically unacceptable’ in 2011, according to KXXV. 

Source: Read Full Article