March 25, 2010

When you read the content in this space, there’s one thing on which you can definitely hang your hat: I will pursue and research every question I need to ask before I begin typing, thereby satisfying not only the reader’s thirst, but my own. That said, it was hard to grasp the idea that more than 200 seniors at Trenton High, who recently learned they will not graduate unless they pass one of two standardized tests, were just notified this week of their dilemma, not knowing where they stood academically months before graduation.

So let’s rewind to just about this same time last year: this year’s Trenton Central High School seniors enjoying the spring weather, taking their HSPA math and language exam, then closing out the 2008-2009 school year. They are ready to enjoy the summer, looking forward to being called the TCHS Class of 2010 when school resumes the following September. According to one educator, a letter from the New Jersey Department of Education was sent to the home address of every student prior to the 2009-2010 school year, notifying them how they did on the HSPA. Did they achieve the 200 score necessary to be considered proficient, or did they fail? This is where the first miscommunication could have occurred, through transience. My own professional experiences with contacting and meeting with young people and their families in this city helps me understand that many of these students could have missed that transmittal from the State because they may have moved, without parents or guardians leaving a forwarding address. This does not excuse the students and parents from missing this boat. When the new seniors return to school in the fall, their homeroom teachers and counselors meet with them to inform them of, among other things, their class schedules and the score they achieved on that test taken the previous March. For those who did not achieve the necessary score, this would have been the point at which students and, subsequently, parents are made aware of the tutorials and other aids available that focus specifically on helping the student develop the skills to pass the test the two times (October and March) it is offered during their senior year. I have learned that many students miss these opportunities because of tardiness and truancy. But then there’s the failsafe that in some cases, we are learning, isn’t there: parents being in the loop that is their children’s learning process and matriculation through school.  

At some point, between the first day of school their junior year and the first weeks of school when they return as seniors, moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, SOMEBODY, should have connected with teachers, counselors and administrators so if the student does not make the move to learn where they stand with this test, and understand that it must be passed before the students can graduate, teachers and counselors can notify moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, SOMEBODY. Now, these students, who comprise about one-third of the TCHS Senior Class of 2010, are waiting, along with thousands of other high school seniors in the state of New Jersey, for the results of the HSPA exam they took in March. If they failed that one, there’s another equivalent test they can take in April. The sad part about that test is its results won’t be available until a few weeks before Trenton Central High seniors are to walk across the stage at the Sun Bank Arena, receiving their diplomas.

A number of people with whom I spoke to gain the insight I’m sharing had mixed feelings about the fate of the Trenton High seniors. They feel bad that the young men and women are in this predicament so close to graduation. They also wish those who see to these children having the latest Ed Hardy t-shirt, i-Pod, or sneakers would maintain greater cognizance when it comes to their childrens’ performance in the classroom and as citizens. But never fear, people, I have the solution for future graduating classes and their parents, a cure to this malady that will ensure all necessary parties will be on top of things, notified well in advance whether the senior is diploma eligible: have the Department of Education send the test results to the place where you rent the stretch Hummer limo for prom night.

Skip Harrison is an educator, freelance journalist, and parent who resides in Trenton, New Jersey.