Students at alternative school not getting proper credit

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A group of students at Rise Up Academy say they didn't get proper credit for a senior English class they need for graduation. Students say they enrolled in "English 12" but since they were taught by a non-certified substitute teacher, they'll only get credit for an elective.



"I was told that they did not want to pay to have permanent teachers and that's why they have subs. And I think these kids ought to be a priority just like any other," said a concerned parent.



She says her child deserves more than just a substitute teacher.



Her child is a senior at a rise up academy and enrolled in English 12 this past quadmester.



But a teacher never showed up-just a sub-and then he found out he was only getting elective credit.



The school corporation says it identified some students who weren't ready for English 12 and held them back for a language arts lab class-and supplemental materials were given.



But this parent wants know why no one told her.



"The only communication that was done was communication that I brought. I went out talked to them to see what's going on. Not getting returned calls. Not getting calls back. Not getting answers," she said.



South Bend School Board member Bill Sniadecki said someone brought the problem to his attention.



But when he raised the issue at the latest board meeting-he got shut down.



"I did find out about it and tried to do this behind closed doors and I called the superintendent but she never returned my calls so I brought it up in the public meeting," said Sniadecki.



Sniadecki says he agrees with this concerned parent.



The students need the mandatory subjects to get a diploma and not any more elective credits.



"They are making the effort to want to graduate and it is such a big deterrent when you are going there and basically being babysitted [sic] by a substitute teacher that's not qualified for that subject," said Sniadecki.



The school corporation insists those students still got a credit, but we did confirm that it was just an elective credit.



Abc 57 asked how they are supposed to get the credit they need to graduate and we were told they will have to try again this upcoming quadmester.