DISD Diploma Problems Prompt Call For Statewide Investigation
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Hundreds of Dallas ISD graduates have diplomas, but the Texas Education Agency is now reviewing an investigation that questions the validity of those diplomas.
The concerns center around students who missed too much class time, but graduated anyway.
The district is conducting the investigation itself. But it's garnered the attention at the state level with a simple question: Are kids getting something they didn't earn?
The internal check of Dallas ISD graduates from the class of 2013, show close to two thousand of them did not meet school attendance requirements. Those students could make up the missed time under special programs. But the internal audit questions the validation of students making up that time.
"What we have seen, based on the results, is that there has not been a good systemic approach to that documentation," said DISD School Board President Miguel Solis.
The audit report, which involves 10 schools, is now being reviewed by the TEA. The CEO of the Texas Association of Business wants a broader investigation, to examine the legitimacy of school districts statewide.
CBS 11's Steve Pickett spoke with the group's CEO Bill Hammond, who expressed concern that there is a wider problem.
"Our concern is that there are other districts in the state that may be allowing principles to do exactly what was happening in Dallas ISD in those 10 campuses," said Hammond.
The latest statistics show eight out of 10 DISD seniors are graduating within the traditional four-year window for high school.
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