LETTER: ‘Good faith effort’ contract unfair

Our son is a junior at Spencer County High School. Recently the students participated in state testing. Before testing, they were asked to sign a good faith effort contract. They were told this was a requirement for graduation. This contract states:
During testing I will:
I will be on time for every test
I will have no unexcused absences
I will answer all parts of the questions
I will write legibly
I will focus on testing during the administration time
I will spend the allotted time on the exam
I will use additional time when needed
I will follow directions
I will identify, mark, or underline key words or parts of the reading passage or question to help me focus on the answer using a #2 pencil
I will be quiet and respectful of other students during the entire test session
I understand that my ability to participate in future activities and programs, such as dual credit, vocational, career-based opportunities, participation in graduation ceremonies, parking, etc., will be determined on my giving good faith effort on all tests.

Our son left one question partially blank due to not fully understanding the question. He completed everything else as was instructed. After this test was complete, he was informed by Ms. Lyons, the principal, that he may not be eligible for graduation ceremony. I spoke to Mr. Adams who informed me that graduation was not a right but a privilege. These tests have nothing to do with their grades but can keep them from graduating. If their grades are passing, they will get a diploma, but the site-based council will decide if they can participate in the graduation ceremony.
The site-based council will meet Thursday, May 12 [in the media center at the high school at  6:30 p.m.]. We hope that any other parents in this situation will attend the meeting and support their children. This is an unfair policy and not very encouraging for the students of Spencer County High School.
Kathy Aldridge and Darrell Waldridge
Taylorsville

Editor’s note: The Spencer Magnet spoke with Spencer County High School Principal Jocelyn Lyons about the school’s “good faith effort” contract. Lyons was unable to discuss the test performances of individual students, but confirmed that every student received and signed the contract prior to testing. She added that teachers reviewed the contracts with students to confirm that they understood the possible consequences associated with not fulfilling the contract’s requirements. She also said that each student has a file compiling his or her test performance history and that a decision regarding graduation ceremony participation is not made by the administration until the student’s senior year.