Some early graduate juniors and seniors in the Ector County Independent School District may not participate in their high school graduation ceremonies this May. The conflict stems from the scheduled release date of state test results by the Texas Education Agency.
The district confirmed that 30 early graduate juniors are affected across ECISD. Thirteen of these students attend Odessa Permian. The total number of seniors affected who are awaiting make-up test results has not been finalized by the district.Permian High School's graduation ceremony is set for May 22. However, the TEA is not scheduled to release individual student results for End of Course exams until May 23. This delay means results confirming whether students have met state testing requirements will not be available before the ceremony.
Odessa High School's graduation is scheduled for May 23, placing it after the state results release date and avoiding this conflict for its students.
The district maintains that its long-standing policy requires students to satisfactorily complete all coursework and satisfy all applicable state testing requirements to participate in commencement activities. Some ECISD students can't walk the stage because of TEA's test results release date District leaders have sent a formal request to the TEA asking for individual ECISD results to be released on or by May 21.
Students and parents have expressed frustration regarding the situation. Some students who have worked to graduate early feel their efforts are not being recognized due to a timing issue outside their control. Many have already made plans and incurred costs associated with graduation.
Breslynn Martinez, an early graduate, stated, "To be blindsided and told now… last minute that I can’t graduate with everybody else when I’ve rightfully earned it, I’ve done everything that I’m supposed to do. I’ve done everything and now I’m being told that I can’t do what I worked for.” “Let Them Walk”: Permian students speak out over graduation delay
The district is offering a summer graduation ceremony in July as an alternative for students who do not meet the May deadline.