The Virginian-Pilot
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A bill that would give the Virginia Board of Education some flexibility in waiving certain graduation requirements easily passed the Senate Education Committee on Thursday.
Del. Sal Iaquinto, R-Virginia Beach, introduced the legislation after a Cox High School senior had to fight to get her diploma because she missed half of a state-required test while battling leukemia.
The student eventually received her diploma.
HB1199 would allow the state board to consider a waiver to the requirements on a case-by-case basis.
-Deirdre Fernandes
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letter of the law
I followed this case carefully. It was not a case where there was no common sense. In fact, I think the sentiment was unanimous about giving the girl the diploma. The problem was the law is written in such a way that even the lawyers could not find a loophole that would allow someone to bypass the requirements and give her the dilpoma.
If that is indeed true . . . .
The more rational fix would have been to change the defective law rather than write a new one.
That would be too rational,
That would be too rational, no one gets credit for just fixing a defective law.
Geeze!
Now we have to legislate common sense because the schools can't figure simple things like this out?
cracking the door open...
The reason is tough, but that's the way it goes. It sends the wrong signal that there will always be an out of doing hard work. The option should've been once the fight is over, come back and we'll give you another shot at earning it. Otherwise call it what is, and honorary diploma like the ones they give those loser drop out hollywood actors.
She should have another
She should have another chance to take the test, but I agree if she didnt pass the test she shouldnt get a diploma, if you dont earn it, its not worth anything.
Cruel Comment there Ricke ---
Let's put this into perspective why don't we... ?!The young lady was fighting a serious and life-threatening disease. That is HARDLY the same as comparing to drop-out-actors. Like, I am sure she just made a choice to experience pain, fear, dread, nausea, despair, agony, and the list goes on and on. Your observation and statement is about the most heartless comment I have ever read on any forum. Besides, where was it suggested that she was trying to avoid hard work? I suppose you don't think that her fighting for her life is hard work? Think again...
Get real ricke...
I would like to assume you didn't read the article otherwise that is the most idiotic, unrealistic, insensitive, cold-hearted comments I have ever read here. The girl was fighting leukemia, missed half of a test and all your rationale is that's tough. And then say she deserves the same as loser drop-outs. Good luck to the young lady and glad to see good sense prevailed in the statehouse on this one.