What a week we had. Last week, Facebook erupted after a post claimed over 100 students were turned away from Saginaw schools for lacking enough credits on the first day.
Though the info was misleading, debates arose about the district’s communication, parents’ accountability and concern for the students.
A parent claimed on a Facebook post that her daughter and 100 others were turned away from Saginaw United for not having enough credits.
Her daughter was turned away, but there weren’t 100 others.
Students who showed up to Saginaw United on the first day lacking credits were given a grade audit and enrolled in Success Academy, the district’s alternative school, to recover credits, according to the superintendent.
There were a few instances of miscommunication where some believed they had recovered their credits in summer school, but not 100.
Once this was clarified by the superintendent, the debate shifted to why students were being sent to an alternative school instead of being helped directly.
But think about it: If students can’t graduate, the district offering a way to recover credits is a gift, not a punishment. Without it, the alternative is dropping out.
Success Academy has helped my family. In the early 2000s, my oldest daughter, who had a child in high school, couldn’t graduate on time, but the Academy allowed her to catch up.
My son also benefited from the program.
And in 1995, I was enrolled in Ruben Daniels to recover credits after falling behind at Saginaw High School. I eventually left that program to enroll in another—Tri-City SER.
Credit recovery programs saved us from becoming dropouts. They’re not perfect, but they’re a blessing, not a punishment.
But I understand why they have a negative perception. When I was enrolled in Ruben Daniels, it was mainly for “problem” students the district didn’t want in their flagship schools.
“The Rube,” as it was known, was for adult education. I couldn’t thrive in that environment. That’s why I left to enroll at Tri-City SER.
Alternative schools that followed had the reputation of having students who were trouble. Behavioral issues. Drugs. Gangs.
However, as those students started giving up on school completely, the programs have evolved to help the ones who just need a little help catching up so they can return to their original schools.
Can the program use improvement? Sure.
But we can’t amputate an arm because of a hangnail.
I look forward to these students recovering their credits and being able to join their classmates at the new high school.
But more than that, I look forward to them graduating from Saginaw United and being able to share a great story of perseverance.