Can the school system deny me my diploma based solely on attendance if I am 18?

[daytona12]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida

Next year I will be a senior in high school. I need 24 credits ultimately to graduate. By the end of this summer before I enter my senior year, I will have completed all of these through a virtual learning opportunity. I will have 7 electives next year, meaning I will need absolutely zero of these credits to graduate. I do, however need to maintain a 2.0 gpa to receive my diploma. I currently have a 2.7 and by the end of summer it should be a little higher than that. I turn 18 in February of next school year. If I have earned all my required credits, have kept a 2.0 gpa, and am 18 years old, do I still have to attend the last 9 week grading period at all if I wish not to do so? Can the school deny me my diploma for having poor attendance? I do not want to attend the graduation ceremony. I was just going to have my diploma mailed, but I have plans for the last 9 weeks of school and would prefer to not spend them in classes that I do not need.

 

[Zigner]

Don't start a new thread for every thought that pops in to your head.

Stay in school.

 

[daytona12]

Don't start a new thread for every thought that pops in to your head.

Stay in school.

Thank you for your lack of response to anything I was inquiring about in my post. I apologize for the quantity of postings I have made.

 

[cbg]

You seem to think that being 18 gives you one heck of a lot of freedom to break the rules with no repercussions.

Graduation is not determined solely by credit count. Part of it is based on completing the state-mandated school year. If you have not been in school for the requisite number of days (as determined by the state) then you have not fulfilled the requirements for graduation EVEN IF you have the required number of credits.

Part of being an adult is learning that you don't always get to do everything you want to do at the moment you want it, and that sometimes you have to do things you don't want to even if they seem pointless to you.

 

[Zigner]

Thank you for your lack of response to anything I was inquiring about in my post. I apologize for the quantity of postings I have made.

One is glad to be of service.

 

[tranquility]

Let's face it, diplomas are no longer about competence, but compliance. If you don't comply with the district's rules for a diploma you don't get one. It does not matter if you are creating cold fusion in your spare time. Some might even suggest that the value eventual employers put on a diploma is not any fact(s) you have learned, but if you learned to show up, on time and be able to put your name at the top of the paper on the right hand side.

Ask the district if your plan will be acceptable. This is not a legal issue.

 

[ajkroy]

I teach seniors in a public high school. Our school has adopted a proactive attendance policy, which is relatively common across the country. In it, if you go over the maximum allotted absences per term, you receive no credit for that term. Go over the max for the year and you do not graduate. Attendance is mandatory for graduation.

Does your school allow for early graduation? Rather than trying slack off at the end, can you have your transcript evaluated and see if you are eligible to finish school a semester or even a year early?

Good luck.

 

[sandyclaus]

I teach seniors in a public high school. Our school has adopted a proactive attendance policy, which is relatively common across the country. In it, if you go over the maximum allotted absences per term, you receive no credit for that term. Go over the max for the year and you do not graduate. Attendance is mandatory for graduation.

Does your school allow for early graduation? Rather than trying slack off at the end, can you have your transcript evaluated and see if you are eligible to finish school a semester or even a year early?

Good luck.

Ahhh, but here's the rub. OP is not yet 18, and his parents would likely need to give him permission to graduate early. Since his parents have already shot down his plans to travel to Maryland over the summer, it's unlikely they would allow him to graduate early. Of course, once OP turns 18, he won't need his parents permission anymore - but he would already be 3/4 through his senior year by then.

 

[ajkroy]

Ahhh. This is that kid. I really must remember to check posting hx before responding....