0027-95
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
AND
PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
JANE A.F. DOE
V.
MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE
INTERIM ORDER DECISION
Held: School Committee's policy is not unreasonable--interim order is denied.
June 20, 1995
Middletown has a policy of allowing only those students who have passed all required courses to participate in eighth grade graduation exercises. Other students, who have not completed all required courses, may be promoted to ninth grade but they are not allowed to participate in graduation exercises. Jane Doe, a regular education student who has not completed all required courses objects to this policy.
Although Middletown's policy is strict we can see nothing arbitrary or unreasonable about it. It certainly encourages students to complete all course work required. It also serves to validate the achievement of those students who participate in the graduation exercise. Jane Doe v. Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School Committee, June 11, 1993; and John B.A. Doe v. Warwick School Committee, June 10, 1994.
Conclusion
Since the policy is not arbitrary or unreasonable and since it is fairly enforced, we must deny the request for an interim order.
Forest L. Avila, Hearing Officer
Approved:
Peter McWalters, Commissioner
June 20, 1995
Date