A Texas high school has been forced to delay its start after only 15 percent of its senior classes met the requirements to graduate.
In a letter to parents and families, Marlin ISD superintendent Darryl Henson said most seniors didn’t make it due to low grades and attendance records.
District officials postponed the ceremony to June to give the students time to catch up and hopefully tick the boxes needed to earn their degrees.
“As a school district, we really want to make sure we’re making the best decision in the best interest of all children,” Henson said. KCEN news.
The postponement of the grand ceremony comes after the district had already done so 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 best interest of all children,” said Marlin ISD Superintendent Darryl Henson.
Marlin High School in Texas has been forced to delay its start after only 15 percent of its senior class met requirements to graduate
In a letter to parents and families, Marlin ISD superintendent Darryl Henson said most seniors didn’t make it due to low grades and attendance records
The district initially said only 15 percent of the class initially qualified, but several additional students met the standards after an initial warning.
As of May 25, the number has risen to 17 out of 38, still less than half.
The superintendent said he hopes the rest of the class can meet the requirements in time for the new graduation date in June.
At a mandatory Wednesday meeting with parents of seniors at Marlin High School, Henson blamed course failures and children skipping classes for the low numbers.
Parents expressed outrage at the meeting, saying their children had been told they were on their way to college, only to find out over the past week that things were different.
The discovery regarding the number of eligible seniors was only made during a recent audit of student grades and attendance.
“Everything we have done and will continue to do is for the sake of our children,” Henson told angry parents Wednesday evening.
“I prefer the emotions now. I’d rather everyone be upset now than have to call you back in January ’24 and tell you that the diploma you received isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.’
“We firmly believe that every student in Marlin ISD can and will reach their potential. We have high expectations, not as an obligation, but as a vote of confidence in our students’ abilities,” Henson said.
In a flyer sent to families, the district emphasized the importance of attendance.
“Regular school attendance is a powerful predictor of student success,” they said.
Marlin High School seniors stand outside a gathering for parents to be held on Wednesday
The district initially said only 15 percent of the class initially qualified, but after an initial alert was sent, several additional students met the standards
The district initially said only 15 percent of the class initially qualified, but after an initial alert was sent, several additional students met the standards
The announcement provoked reactions from parents whose children did meet the reduction and those who blamed ISD for waiting so long to check the requirements.
“Marlin ISD should be ashamed and embarrassed,” one Facebook user wrote.
‘Let the five graduate, on time! This is BULL that you have punished the students who struggled because the bulk of the students are FAILURES,” they continued.
‘The fact that you have waited so long to audit the compulsory graduation baffles me. There are only 33 senior citizens,” added another.
“Why on earth would you ever punish kids who worked hard and did what they have to do to graduate,” replied Shelley Golden.
‘This should have been known at least 6 weeks ago!! #No communication.’
‘The 5 who passed must be able to walk and graduate! They are not responsible for the mistake and oversight of others,” said another person.
The attendance predictor is a major reason why Marlin ISD decided in April to move to a four-day school week for 2023-2024.
For the coming year, students will still go to 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 prepare a “Strong start, strong finish.’
“The adoption of a four-day weekly calendar is an important step in 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 reiterated his statement accompanying the statement.
“High standards serve as a benchmark for quality education and ensure that schools remain accountable for delivering high-quality education,” said Edwards.
“I prefer the emotions now. I’d rather everyone be upset now than have to call you back in January ’24 and tell you that the diploma you received isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on,” Henson said Wednesday.
In 2020, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) revoked the Marlin Independent School District’s accreditation following an audit of the district.
“Accreditation status is based on the academic accountability assessment and financial assessments of the Texas Financial Integrity Rating System,” said TEA.
“A non-accredited-withdrawn status means that the district has performance shortcomings that led to the revocation of the district’s accreditation status,” said Interim Marlin ISD Superintendent Dr. Jean Bahney at the time.
That revoked accreditation followed one 2019 accountability rating of F and a 2011 rating of ‘academicly unacceptable’, according to KXXV.
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