Minnesota Students Denied Diplomas In Testing Error Attend Special Graduation At State Capitol

Jet, Oct 30, 2000

Sixteen Minnesota students who were denied high school diplomas this past spring because of a testing-score error finally got their turn to walk across the stage in a special ceremony at the State Capitol in St. Paul.

A brass ensemble played as the students, donning black caps and gowns, marched into the Capitol rotunda to the beat of Pomp and Circumstance. Cameras flashed and mothers dabbed at tears as Gov. Jesse Ventura handed each student a personally signed certificate.

The half-hour event, which officials called a "recognition ceremony," was the closest thing to a real graduation for the students, nearly all of whom received their actual diplomas soon after the mistakes were announced in July.

"You were such innocent victims," Ventura told them. "But learn from it. Get stronger from it."

Minnesota high school students must pass three state basic-skills tests in order to graduate. State education officials say 54 high school seniors were denied their diplomas because of a mistake a private testing firm made on 47,000 math exams. In all, 7,989 students in 8th through 12th grades incorrectly received failing grades because National Computer Systems Inc. used the wrong "correct" answers in grading six questions.

The mood at the Capitol was bittersweet. Some students, despite efforts to make the day special for them, wore long faces during the event. Yet others were more upbeat, saying the ceremony made up, at least in part, for them not being allowed to graduate with their friends and classmates.

"It was just my mother and grandmother who wanted to see me walk across the stage," said 18-year-old Javon Jackson, who attended St. Paul Johnson High School, the Star Tribune reported. "I'm glad they're recognizing it, but, in a way, it's too late.... I did want to graduate with my class, I really did."