Published: May 20, 2009 08:34 pm      

15 high school seniors will not graduate because of failing TAKS

High school graduation is a very special moment in the life of every teenager, but for 15 area high school seniors, participating in commencement ceremonies with their respective campus and classmates will never become a reality.

Beginning in April of every student’s junior year in a high school, a student has five opportunities to pass the math, science, social studies and English and language arts sections of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. Failure to meet standard in one or more of these subject areas will prohibit a student from participating in graduation events with their respective high school.

The 2009 graduating class of West Orange-Stark High School will have 152 students make their way across the stage and receive a diploma on May 29. Unfortunately, there are seven students who will not be able to participate on graduation night.

Prior to the final opportunity to re-test in April, 27 students at West Orange-Stark High School still needed to master one or more sections of the TAKS test.

“Our seniors have worked very hard to master all sections of the required state assessment,” said Jane Stephenson, executive director of educational services at West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District. “While we are very disheartened these few students have not met all requirements for graduation, we will offer additional study programs this summer and plan for those students to re-test July 14th through July 17th. It is our goal for each of these students to master the required standards at that time.”

Students who master their remaining TAKS subject areas during the summer will receive a diploma.

The Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School has a graduating class of 245 students this year. Two students will not be allowed to participate in commencement exercises because of TAKS issues. This figure is down from 10 students prior to the final administration of exit level TAKS in April.

A total of 154 students will graduate from Bridge City High School on May 29, but there are two students who were unable to master one section each of the TAKS test and will not be able to participate in the graduation ceremony.

According to Gina Mannino, Bridge City ISD director of curriculum and instruction, these students were the only two remaining who still needed to meet standard on one or more sections of the TAKS test, prior to the final administration.

Mannino said each of these students will be eligible to come back in July and take the TAKS test again for the appropriate section needed before receiving a diploma.

According to Dr. Stephen Patterson, Orangefield ISD director of curriculum and instruction, a total of 112 seniors will participate in commencement exercises on May 30.

Patterson said only one student from Orangefield High School will be unable to participate in graduation. Prior to the final administration, the district had two students needing to meet standard on one or more sections of TAKS.

Vidor High School has the largest graduating class of the six area public high schools with 287 students set to walk across the stage on May 30.

According to Debbie Gier, Vidor ISD testing coordinator, the district was able to reduce the number of students still needing to meet standard, prior to the April administration of TAKS, from nine to three by the use of tutorials and schedule adjustments.

Deweyville High School may boast the smallest senior class of the six area public high schools, but the high school is also the only district which can claim to have all seniors master the TAKS test.

“It’s very exciting to see everyone of our seniors have passed the TAKS test,” said Darrell Dans of the Deweyville Independent School District. “We have worked hard at the high school to make sure we are doing everything we can to make our students successful. The teachers have worked just as hard as the students, and it shows with this result.”



Tommy Mann Jr. is a reporter for The Orange Leader. He can be reached at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com