School Board says graduation is academic recognition

In response to a request from a parent of a home schooled student, the Decorah Community School Board, on Monday night, discussed the issue of who is recognized at graduation ceremonies. While deliberately acknowledging the multiple positive contributions of home schooled students, the board affirmed that graduation is an academic recognition ceremony relating to the fulfillment of very specific academic requirements. Therefore, home schooled students will not be recognized as part of the school graduation ceremonies.

The discussion also included the recognition of foreign exchange students, with similar conclusions. Superintendent Mike Haluska did note that home schooled students are recognized in multiple other venues for extracurricular activities, and that the senior banquet is another venue for these students to be recognized and bring closure to the traditional high school years with their peers. He also said the students who are home schooled can be under a large umbrella of participation levels and that no equity could be accomplished in recognizing them.