WRITTEN POLICY ON GRADUATION IS PREFERABLE

Your recent editorial "Graduation policy" was in error on several points of fact. You fail to distinguish between high school graduation and the commencement exercises. To graduate, you must meet attendance and credit requirements established by state and local school officials. The local board of education certifies that these requirements have been met and issues diplomas to graduates. Commencement exercises are designed to let family and friends celebrate the individual accomplishments of the graduates. No one graduates without having completed the program of study required by law.

A problem developed last year when it was discovered that the then-principal of Cape Girardeau Central High School, Dan Milligan, was unwilling to allow three students, who were very near to completing the requirements, to participate in the ceremony. This was troubling, because the principal had, on other occasions, been willing to allow students in similar circumstances to participate in commencement exercises. In fact, our investigation into the matter revealed a number of allegations related to the issue. In the past, the high school administration had pressured teachers to change grades, the requirements were waived for the children of prominent members of the community and, in a particularly cruel practice, some students were literally jerked out of line on their way up to the podium.

To ensure that all students were treated fairly and consistently, Superintendent Neyland Clark, at the direction of the board of education, informed the principal that any student within one credit of graduation and a formal plan for completing the credit be allowed to participate in the ceremony. Prior to the development of this issue, Mr. Milligan announced his intention to retire, effective at the end of the school year. Therefore, he chose to noisily grandstand the issue and appear sufficiently disgruntled to walk off the job.

We do not have the luxury of making conveniently timed decisions. The fact is, when the problem came to our attention, we were obligated to correct the situation in what we believe was the best educational interest of the children of this district. When issues arise, traditional unwritten procedures of the past fall far short of being adequate. These unwritten practices do not sufficiently stand in for a formal written policy, which, in this case, was indicated. Tradition does not constitute policy. Having unwritten traditional procedures was part of the original problem.

Now as the district prepares a formal written policy on graduation practices, you charge us with being a "big government bureaucracy at work." Your charge is hardly accurate and certainly stretches the truth. You suggest that it is too late to be "judicious." We think soliciting parent, teacher and student input on an equitable policy is in the best interest of our community. This process represents broad-based local decision-making. Perhaps you would prefer that a single individual simply hand down a policy in an effort to keep the process simple?

Our solution may have been unpopular with some, but it was educationally sound. If that is what it takes to ensure that the children of this district are treated fairly, we will suffer the consequences, but most people in this community realize the district is better for our efforts.

Dr. Pat Ruopp is a member of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education and chairman of a subcommittee of the Community Relations Committee that is considering commencement policy.