Bridgeton High Seniors told they can’t walk at graduation
About 20 Bridgeton High School seniors are not allowed to walk at their graduation ceremony Wednesday evening. The Bridgeton School District is restricting them from walking because these students didn’t pass certain standardized tests necessary for them to receive their diplomas.
A re-test was supposed to be scheduled for Monday, but has been pushed back and the results won’t be in until August.
In essence, these students have already been given two chances to pass. The first test is the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA). The second is the Alternative High School Assessment test, which is only administered if one fails the HSPA, as the News of Cumberland County reports.
Now students and parents are questioning decisions by the school district that they say will keep these students from walking with their classmates. They’ll be at tonight’s Board of Education meeting to lodge their complaints once more.
Last year the school board voted that students who failed shouldn’t be allowed to walk; then later changed their mind and reversed their decision. Board of Education President Angelia Edwards told the paper she didn’t know the current status of the situation.
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