School Counselor Tells Student He Should Drop Out Of School
Here’s an option most students don’t hear from their school guidance counselor – drop out of school and get a GED.
But the El Paso Independent School District admits one of its counselors suggested a student do just that.
Taking senior pictures at his high school is something Zach Brown isn’t concerned with, even though he’s 17-years old.
“I had a plan to graduate to get caught up,” said Zach Brown.
The 17-year-old is a freshman, but has only six of the 26 credits needed to graduate with a diploma.
Zach said his plan to get on track changed last week.
“I got the phone call from the school and they mentioned the GED,” Zach said.
His mother Desiree McLeod said, “He was gung-ho about going to school, trying to catch up and graduate, either with his class or one year behind – and now that she said this to us, he doesn’t want to go to school.”
Zach’s mom said she’s furious now because the struggling student said he’d rather take the GED.
“They told me to drop out so I wanted to drop out,” added Brown.
El Paso Independent School District officials sent ABC-7 this statement:
“The school is currently in the process of hiring a new principal.An assistant principal provided GED information, but unfortunately failed to share additional information regarding how a diploma could still be earned. District administration is currently correcting this situation by working closely with the parent and student. Our goal is that every student should graduate with a high school diploma prepared to enter the workforce or post-secondary education.”
Texas students have until age 21 to finish high school.
They’re given seven years to get their diploma at an estimated cost of $7,000 a year per student to tax payers.
“Yeah, its going to cost tax payers extra, but he’s going to get an education, he’s going to get a diploma,” said McLeod.
Zach’s mother told us she has a meeting with district officials on Friday.
She says after ABC-7 became involved, the district is now offering Zach a mini-mester route and promising that Zach will graduate with his class next year in 2011.
