Banned from graduation: Did the punishment fit the crime? | The Education Report

Banned from graduation: Did the punishment fit the crime? | The Education Report

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Banned from graduation: Did the punishment fit the crime?

By Katy Murphy
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 at 2:09 pm in high schools, students, teens.

It seemed like a fun idea at the time: Painting their cars like floats in a parade and cruising down the off-limits service road that runs around Oakland’s Skyline High School campus at lunchtime.

But about 11 of the students that took part in Friday’s senior prank — those who were caught — learned yesterday they would be suspended and banned from walking the stage at tomorrow night’s commencement at the Paramount, said Raeshon Culberson, whose daughter Jasmine was suspended (and, incidentally, who used to teach at Skyline).

They’ll be allowed inside the theater, Culberson said, but not on stage — and not dressed in a cap and gown.

Troy Flint, a spokesman for the Oakland school district, said the prank posed a safety threat. He said a number of teachers reported that cars were doing donuts and other tricks near students and staff, and that the drivers refused to stop, even when staff approached the cars. They also reported that some bystanders were almost hit, he said.

“I don’t think anyone at the school would classify this as a parade (other than t