Sarasota County: Discriminatory Exclusion of Students from Graduation Ceremonies Based on State Testing Results
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
Dear School Board members
I write to address a serious and urgent concern regarding your district’s practice of excluding students from participating in high school graduation ceremonies solely due to their failure to pass required state assessments.
It has come to our attention that this policy has resulted in a targeted exclusion of a specific group of students—those who have successfully completed all required coursework and maintained satisfactory academic standing, yet have not passed state standardized tests. These students, despite fulfilling the broader academic requirements of their education, are being denied the chance to walk at graduation alongside their peers. This is deeply concerning.
Graduation ceremonies are symbolic events, not diploma conferrals. Preventing students from participating solely on the basis of test results—particularly when they have met all other graduation criteria—amounts to an unnecessary and harmful act of public exclusion. More importantly, this policy disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including students with learning disabilities, English language learners, and others facing systemic educational challenges. The selective enforcement of this policy raises serious equity and potential civil rights concerns.
We respectfully demand that the district immediately reconsider this practice and allow all students who have completed their required coursework to participate in the upcoming graduation ceremonies, regardless of testing status. The current policy unfairly penalizes a subset of students who have otherwise earned the right to be recognized for their academic perseverance and accomplishments.
Please provide a written response within five (5) business days from the date of this letter confirming your receipt and your position on this matter. Should this policy remain unchanged, we are prepared to pursue further legal action to protect the rights and dignity of the affected students.
Sincerely,
Concern parents of Sarasota