Jordan and the other parents said that they were not told by the school district about the state’s appeal process. However, when they learned about the “appeal process” for the state exam, they requested school district’s officials’ assistance by way of the required letters needed to be sent to the state for the process.

Jordan said the superintendent did not provide the required letter.

“This (not passing the state test) is a statewide problem,” Jordan said. “There were students at Northeast Jones and West Jones that did not pass the test, but did the (appeal) process and they graduated.”

Earlier this month, Jordan addressed members of the Laurel City Council during its recent meeting to discuss the matter.

Jordan said he wants to see some changes in the requirements. Moreover, he also wants to inform others.

“I just want parents to beware because their high school senior next year may be the victim,” he said. “The future of our children will not depend on how well they perform in school. It will be determined by how well they perform on one test.”

Jordan said people need to know the consequences of students not passing the test.

“Even if the student earns the required credits, in order to receive a diploma, the state test overrules the student’s academic achievements,” Jordan said. “I realize that testing is a part of how our society evaluates an individual. Some type of procedure must be conducted to insure that one has in fact achieved the necessary skills and training that is required.”

However, Jordan said, some changes are needed.

“Now, if children with hopeless, negative feelings see the issues plaguing the system, they will surely throw their hands up, and probably give up,” Jordan added. “The slogan ‘no child left behind’ means little, when the system is leaving them behind.”

The school district public relations department was contacted to respond to this matter, but no comment was issued from the Laurel School District.