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Rule leaves out 'Most Spirited' senior

A Ridgewood High student who had trouble with the FCAT won't get to participate in the graduation ceremony.

By MARY SPICUZZA
Published May 18, 2006

PORT RICHEY - Dana Salvagno was voted "Most Spirited" of the Ridgewood High School senior class.

Dana, 18, spent much of the day Wednesday volunteering at the senior picnic, where she helped decorate tables for the Hawaiian-luau-themed celebration.

But Friday night, Dana will not be allowed to participate in the Ridgewood graduation ceremony. She has a 3.0 grade-point average and more than enough credits, said her mother, Pam, but she failed the reading section of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

And Dana just learned that she scored 30 points short of passing the General Educational Development, or GED, test.

Dana will receive a certificate of completion. But in Pasco County, that's not enough to participate in a high school graduation ceremony.

"The policy, it states that the student must complete all state and district requirements," said Jim Davis, assistant superintendent for high, adult and alternative schools.

Davis said that about 100 Pasco students won't be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Some other school districts, including those in Hillsborough and Citrus, do allow students to participate with a certificate of completion. And Pasco might in the future.

"We're looking at that policy," superintendent Heather Fiorentino said. "But it won't take place this year."

Fiorentino said the policy is a School Board decision. She said students will have a chance to take the FCAT again in June.

"That won't allow them to walk, unfortunately," Fiorentino said.

"I am the most involved senior. I do everything I can for that school," she said. "I don't think I should be punished because I'm a very bad test taker."

Pam Salvagno is going to watch the ceremony with her daughter.

"I don't want her to be there alone," she said. "I've never seen Dana upset for so long."

However, a certificate of completion will allow her to go on to college.

"She can go to college, but she can't participate in a ceremony," her mom said.

And after college graduation?

Dana hopes to return to Pasco County schools as a teacher at Ridgewood High.

--Mary Spicuzza covers education in Pasco County. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6241 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6241. Her e-mail address is mspicuzza@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 18, 2006, 01:40:19]