Jean's mom immediately made an appointment with the Principal. He explained the rules that mom wanted no part of. She said prom was much more important that graduation. Besides, Jean had gotten a 60 in the class which meant she will pass in June and graduate anyway.
The Principal stood firm. Jean's mom went over his head and complained to the school board. She found a loop hole. No where in the rules and regulations of the school was there a policy about having to pass to attend the prom. The school board stood with Jean and she was allowed to attend. The night before the prom guidance counselors called every barred senior and offered them free admission to the prom.
I worry about the message this sent to Jean. She failed to do the things she could have done (extra credit to pass) and still got to go. I worry about the 60 grade which is meant as a warning, but a weak one. Anyone who goes to that high school knows everyone will pass in the end. Graduation rates are far more important than real education.
A part of me is happy Jean won. The 60 grade is ridiculous. If I gave a grade of 60 and then failed someone at the end, I had to justify the mark to my AP and stand up to endlessly being berated for not knowing my students. If I failed too many, it was my fault again, so I (and everyone else) stretched grades to pass everyone. The Principal and the school ended up looking foolish. Maybe this will end some of these stupid policies.
