Today was kind of sad. I had another student withdraw. I’ve had no less than 4 students withdraw in the last week to enroll in private school. They can’t pass the TAKS test. (TAKS is a standardized test here in Texas. If students don’t pass all sections before the end of their senior year, they can’t graduate.)

I get it. We have to have some measure. The kids should be able to pass the test. (Well, that’s arguable.) But you haven’t seen their faces. You don’t know how miserable these kids are after attempting a test 5 times, not passing it and being faced with not graduating from High School no matter how well they’ve done in class. It’s a heartbreaking moment.

The alternative is private schools, but not any private schools. These are pretty much diploma mills. Most of them only have classes 2 days a week. I signed withdrawl papers for a girl today; she graduates from the private school next week. She will have attended 3 days of school.

Students who are economically disadvantaged and/or minority are most affected by the whole thing. The people who can least afford to pay for an alternative school and most need a high school diploma are the ones who get shafted in the end. You aren’t suprised, are you? Tuition costs more the closer to the end of the year, despite the fact that the kids will only be there for a few days, because parents and kids are desperate. So either you pony up the money (if you can) or you don’t get a diploma from anywhere. No child left behind…if you can afford it.

Our kids shouldn’t be reduced to this. This is a fun part of the year, as I teach seniors. It’s also the saddest part of the year for me, because I know we failed those kids. You shouldn’t have to go pay nearly $1,000 to enroll in a private school for 3 days to get a diploma in the rec room of a community center. You shouldn’t be studying for a GED after 12 years of school. If they’ve passed their classes, those kids should be at graduation, walking across the stage with their classmates.

But they won’t.