New Programs Allow Douglass Seniors To Catch Up, Graduate

Seniors at Douglass High School are now on track to graduate with an opportunity to catch up with night courses.

Last November, a scathing audit revealed 87 of Douglass High's 107 seniors didn't have enough credits to walk across the stage.

After that disturbing audit was released, and cheating allegations forced the former school principal to resign, school administrators had to move into emergency mode. Now that a new administration is in place, Douglass High seniors who take advantage of the new opportunity can graduate on time.

12/10/2012 Related Story: Student To Audit All OKCPS Student Transcripts Following Douglass Scandal

"All I'm trying to do is just graduate, go to college, you know, be successful," said DHS Senior, Richard Williams.  

Williams was just like many of his classmates just a few months ago. Cheating allegations forced Douglass High's former principal, Brian Staples to resign last October, and the academic careers of 87 seniors were on the line.

"I was kind of down a little bit, then I said, I could do it," said Williams.

"They hurried and found a way to help us after that. They informed us what was really going on, like our real grades," said DHS Junior, Malasha Allen.

11/29/2012 Related Story: Majority Of Douglass High School Students May Not Graduate 

Allen sits in her Oklahoma history class, with the hope of getting ahead.

"I heard about it, I wanted to take it because I just want to get as ahead as I can, because I don't want to get to college, and not be prepared," said Allen.

A plan was put in place that included shifting the schools master schedule, and offering extra courses after school.

"It's been tough, but it has worked out, because under the leadership of the principal, Barbara Davis, we were able to work with the staff here, and provide what was needed," said DHS academic consultant, Joyce Henderson.

"Some people in life say you're not going to succeed, and some people want to prove them wrong," said Williams., "I'm going to going to graduate, whatever it takes."

"I just want to be secure. I want to have a good lifestyle," said Allen.

10/24/2012 Related Story: Douglass Principal Resigns Following Investigation Into Allegations 

Allen plans to attend Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana. Williams wants to go to OSU to study veterinarian medicine.

Students also had the opportunity to take classes during the winter break, some are even taking an extra step, and taking classes during Spring break to make sure they get their diploma this spring.