Commenter:
Lisa M Roberts , Parent of special needs student
Graduation Target for Virginia’s schools
Dear Members of the Board of Education:
I am a Virginia resident and a strong supporter of our public schools. I appreciate the Board's efforts to make graduation rates a priority for Virginia high schools, but given the importance of producing graduates ready for college, work, and life, I'm writing to ask that you take a stronger stand.
I have a 15 year old son with some learning difficulties and also attends the Harrisonburg High School and who is more than willing and very capable of learning. However the school system in Harrisonburg does not have adequate resources, skills in order to challenge him. He has been shrugged off to the side for the last several years. Finally after having called the State level of education there has been a start for him, however I do see the teacher and staffs reluctance. Why did I have to be the one to jump all over everyone to get it done? Why was the problem not recognized by the "professionals" and attended to? I feel that if my son were to be educated properly he could have graduated with a regular diploma. More attention is needed to the special educational department at Harrisonburg City Schools. Not only do we need to increase the target for the graduation index we also need teachers and staff who know what they are doing so they can graduate.
Please increase the target for the graduation index to at least 90 points, OR adjust the graduation and completion index so that it gives schools more points for Standard and Advanced Diplomas and fewer points for all alternative diplomas and other credentials.
Virginia’s students need to receive appropriate supports to reach their potentials, and schools and the Commonwealth as a whole will benefit from incentives to provide the needed supports.
Thank you for your consideration. I hope you'll do all that you can to increase the number of students who successfully graduate ready to fulfill their greatest potential.
