An Oxon Hill High School senior won’t be allowed to graduate Thursday morning. The student, 18-year-old Shavonte Petty, is one English class shy of completing the graduation requirements for Prince George’s County schools, Superintendent William Hite ruled.
Her family appealed to the Maryland board of education and asked Circuit Court Judge Sean Wallace to allow her to march in the school’s graduation ceremony while the state considered the appeal. Wallace denied her request.
Petty, who suffers from severe allergies, asthma and anemia, argued that she failed to complete the course only because school faculty failed to provide her with the disability assistance she needed when she was out of school sick.
Roger Thomas, an attorney for Superintendent William Hite and the school board, said Petty failed to turn in three-quarters of the assignments for her English class.
