Whether it’s problems with rats, loss of state accreditation or an administrator sharing a racist tweet on Twitter, the bad press never seems to end for Booker T. Washington H.S. in Norfolk. The most recent news to come from the school is that some students are being passed through classes that they are currently failing.
It’s always upsetting to hear stories of kids graduating high school without even being able to read. Typically, we ask ourselves, “how is that even possible?” After speaking with some teachers who wishes to stay anonymous, it’s believed that the school’s principle, Adrian Day, announced over the loud speaker that, “any student who passes their SOL, will also be passed in their related course.” This includes students who haven’t shown up all semester.
In hopes of verifying the claim, I attempted to contact the school’s administration over two dozen times. The first time I called, the person in the office sounded very flustered and started stumbling over their words, when I asked if they knew about the announcement. They said that they were unaware of the announcement and said they would transfer me to the office manager, Ms. Lillie Morris, but I was disconnected. I then attempted to get in touch with Tiffany Hillian, the Department Chair for Guidance, on three separate occasions, but she was unavailable for comment for all of them.
After failing to meet academic standards for four consecutive years, Booker T. Washington’s accreditation was pulled by the Virginia Board of Education, back in October. If reports of students being passed in classes that they are failing is true (let alone classes they are not attending), it could be administration’s way of attempting to saving face with both the surrounding community and the state. Whatever the reason, it isn’t an ethical one. Perhaps the community needs to speak up and ask about what administration is doing to help their kids be successful and graduate on time. It seems to be that what administration views as “help” may not be wanted.