Name: Disabled Politico

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She's an honor student, a scholarship recipient, and a golfer: But, because her disability prevents her from running a mile, she can't graduate.

Posted: 6/30/2008 at 06:01 PM

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Girls at graduation sit in a row, wearing white gowns and mortarboards. According to her father, a Haines City, Florida girl has been denied a high school diploma because a medical condition prevents her from running a mile. Randy Cliett says that his daughter, a senior at Lake Wales High School, was informed only four days prior to her planned graduation that she wouldn't receive a diploma due to her inability to meet the Physical Education requirement of running a mile.

Mr. Cliett says in The Ledger that, "My daughter was an honors student, received numerous awards at year end banquets, received a scholarship toward college for her efforts on the golf team... Her academics were outstanding, the problem is her inability on a physical level. Her medical condition prevented her from a requirement of physical education, running a mile. Because of this, she didn't get to graduate."

It is unclear at this point what Mr. Cliett's daughter's disability is, or whether or not she had an IEP, but one thing seems clear: With 1/2 credit of Physical Education required for graduation at Lake Wales, and given the young woman's place on the golf team, denying her a diploma on the basis of inability to run a mile seems ludicrous, and all the more so with only four days' notice to fight the decision or attempt to meet the standard.

What do you think?

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PetLvr wrote on Jun 30, 2008 at 6:34 PM
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It's a shame that that this has to become news - but, if this handicapped girl can golf - I think that however she manages to get around the 18 holes should be available to let her "run" that mile (even if it's a golf cart)
scrappywheels wrote on Jun 30, 2008 at 7:40 PM
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Or why not add up all her laps around the golf course as part of the golf team towards her "mile"? Duh!
Jess18 wrote on Jun 30, 2008 at 11:18 PM
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I think that is ridiculous and obsurd!!! What a shame that this smart and educated lady can not accomplish now because of her disability :-(
Dona Owens wrote on Jul 10, 2008 at 3:07 PM
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This is a no brainer. Her parents ought to sue the Board of Education. I doubt that the disability popped up 4 days before graduation and the physical education requirement should have been brought forth prior to this. If she can golf and walk to do that, they could have calculated a mile that she has walked golfing and allowed her to graduate. What is the State of Florida's phys ed requirement for graduation? The diplomas are essentially awarded by the state. The parents should appeal to the State Board of Education and get their daughter her diploma.
CaffeineQueen81 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 at 7:44 PM
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What? This *clearly* has to to be illegal. It's obviously discriminatory and goes against the spirit of our laws, if not the very letter of the law. It isn't an 'appropriate' educational requirement [as in 'guaranteed free & appropriate public education' - IDEA] to require her from running a mile. Do not 'reasonable accommodation' [ADA] laws apply in this circumstance? This is just crazy. Any one with even an ounce of common sense should know better than to think that this would be acceptable.
CaffeineQueen81 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 at 7:44 PM
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What? This *clearly* has to to be illegal. It's obviously discriminatory and goes against the spirit of our laws, if not the very letter of the law. It isn't an 'appropriate' educational requirement [as in 'guaranteed free & appropriate public education' - IDEA] to require her from running a mile. Do not 'reasonable accommodation' [ADA] laws apply in this circumstance? This is just crazy. Any one with even an ounce of common sense should know better than to think that this would be acceptable.
CaffeineQueen81 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 at 8:35 PM
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What? This *clearly* has to to be illegal. It's obviously discriminatory and goes against the spirit of our laws, if not the very letter of the law. It isn't an 'appropriate' educational requirement [as in 'guaranteed free & appropriate public education' - IDEA] to require her from running a mile. Do not 'reasonable accommodation' [ADA] laws apply in this circumstance? This is just crazy. Any one with even an ounce of common sense should know better than to think that this would be acceptable.
Lizzie wrote on Jul 12, 2008 at 5:40 PM
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What ever happened to "adaptive physical education"? It is in place in new york schools. And the mile IS a requirement. There seems to be a lot of missing pieces here. Where was the communication between, parents, student, doctor, phys ed teacher/department. Someone didnt do their job. What do kids do that have severe asthma? There are many that are just not able to run, do they graduate? Someones not being completely honest here. Florida schools must be above the law when it comes to accomadating students with disabilities.
Stacey wrote on Jul 15, 2008 at 11:23 PM
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I think that an attorney should be contacted. There is no way that any school can keep a physically disabled student from graduating because a legitimate disability keeps her from running a mile. This is just ridiculous!!
Disabled Politico wrote on Jul 30, 2008 at 6:32 PM
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Disabled Politico recently covered the story of a girl who was denied a high school diploma due to a

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She's an honor student, a scholarship recipient, and a golfer: But, because her disability prevents her from running a mile, she can't graduate.

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