Some days it's hard to be proud to be a Texan.
This is one of those days.
Some Fort Worth high school students staged a protest against a school board policy. The protest was over a decision by the Fort Worth ISD not to allow students who flunked the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test (a test required to graduate) from participating in graduation ceremonies.
Unfortunately for them, this picture that accompanied the story says it all:
Students who had been planning to walk across the stage at graduation ceremonies this weekend were instead walking a picket line Thursday morning.
The Trimble Tech High School seniors marched in front of Fort Worth Independent School District headquarters to protest Wednesday's decision by trustees to bar students who failed the TAKS test from commencement exercises.
About a dozen young people, carrying signs and chanting, began picketing at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. They represent the 613 Fort Worth seniors who did not pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills exam.
The TAKS test replaced the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) test in 2003, but testing has been shrouded in controversy since its introduction here in 1991. To graduate from a Texas high school, students must pass exit-level tests in English language arts, social studies, math, and science. Students are given a total of five chances to pass the test before graduation.
And there are students--students with a 3.5 grade average--who can't pass this test? And who write posters like "Let are kids walk"? Is there any wonder why these kids aren't being allowed to graduate?
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