Teen Misses Exam Because She's Homeless; State Does The Right Thing And Arranges For College

by Brett Singer (Subscribe to Brett Singer's posts)
Feb 5th 2010 5:19PM

Filed under: In The News

Rosa Bracero and her mother, Rosario, in Brooklyn. Credit: Anthony DelMundo, New York Daily News

A high school senior was unable to take the last exam she needed to graduate -- because she was homeless.

However, ParentDish has learned that the 17-year-old will be able to start college next month, although she will still have to take the exam in June to get her high school Regents diploma.

The Bracero family was evicted from their home last week and went to an intake center to try and find a place to stay, according to a report in the New York Daily News. Rosa Bracero, 17, told the center's staff she had to go take her English Regents exam, a standardized test administered in a few states, in order to graduate from Brooklyn's High School for Civil Rights. She was informed that if she left, her family would be denied shelter. So Rosa stayed, missing the exam.

"Given that the State does not allow make-up Regents exams, we will continue to work with this student so that she can take the exam and go to college," wrote Danny Kanner, spokesperson for the New York City Department of Education, in an email to ParentDish on Friday.

Hopping on the helpful bandwagon, Jonathan Burman of the New York State Education Department sent ParentDish a statement as well.

"Working together with the high school's principal, the City's central administration, and Lincoln Technical Institute, we achieved a favorable solution: Lincoln Tech, the college Rosa wants to attend, has accepted her and will permit her to begin taking classes on February 16th," wrote Burman. "She will be able to take the Regents exam in June and will graduate at that time."

Burman added: "Unlike most states, we offer these exams three times a year so that students have multiple opportunities to take and pass them. Because of the need for security, the exams can be given only at the times they are scheduled."

So Rosa will still have to wait for the Regents exam and her high school diploma, but she will be able to start college in the meantime.

It also seems that Rosa's unfortunate circumstances may lead to some changes at the New York City Department of Homeless Services. ParentDish received the following statement via email from Department spokesperson Heather Janik.

"The Department of Homeless Services is revamping our policy so that once a family presents at the intake center, a student may be excused from the shelter application process for important exams that do not offer make-up sessions, like Regents or some college preparatory exams, while their family continues to be processed, " wrote Janik. "The incident of a student missing the Regents Exam was unfortunate and unusual, but these steps will ensure that no child faces a similar situation again."

Although the circumstances of Rosa Bracero's case are unusual, the New York State Board of Regents' strict policy on only allowing students to take exams on specific dates has come up in the past. In 2009, snow-related school closings forced the cancellation of many students' Regents exams, and make up tests were not offered.

The same thing occurred in 2004; in that case, students whose schools were closed were offered the option of substituting a passing grade for the test, or waiting until June, according to The New York Times. The catch -- if students chose not to take the exam in June, they would receive a local diploma rather than the more prestigious Regents diploma.

The Braceros have been homeless in the past but managed to get back on their feet. Rosario Bracero, Rosa's mother, lost her job in April of last year, causing her to fall behind on the rent while living on a temp worker's salary. The Bracero family includes Rosa, her brother, a sister-in-law and two baby nieces, according to the Daily News.

Story updated February 5, 4:50pm

Related: Homeless Blogger Lands Internship at Elle Magazine

ReaderComments (Page 5 of 8)

Add Your Comments

2-07-2010 @ 1:34PM

Susan said...

You know, what comes around goes around. You shouldn't judge unless you have walked in the shoes of others. Maybe one day, when something awful happens to you or your loved ones, you will look back on this comment and regret it. I only hope someday if this happens, someone affords you the sympathy you did not give this family.

june said...

I notice some ask who is going to pay for her college? The state? I must say, it is cheaper for the state to pay for her college than it is for them to pay for her with state money for life!! With the economy today, more people today can't afford colleges. Our government has made it difficult for even the middle class to pay for more than their living expenses today. As they say, the rich are getting richer and everyone else is becoming poor. Look at all the people losing their jobs they have had for years. Many of them either find jobs paying much less or they can't find a job at all. Then they lose their homes making their lives even more difficult. Unless you are a business owner still making out good in our economy today, I would watch what you say about others who are struggling today. Charma can eat you alive. You wouldn't want to be the next person losing your job while everyone running amuck you asks, "So what, is the state going to be paying for this loser too"?

2-07-2010 @ 1:39PM

s rife said...

Lets take care of our own. No one is bitching about all the free aid that people get who shouldn't even be here. Wake the Fuc% up America

2-07-2010 @ 1:41PM

Marshall said...

I was shocked to read your comment. Unbelievable.
There are many people who cannot afford to get a higher
education because college and university tuitions are ridiculously
steep and out of reach. All young adults do deserve a chance
to get ahead. We cannot just write them off. Remember, if we
become a totally jobless society,we become a society of crime
and disorder.....I for one, faced similar circumstances back l99l.
Being evicted from one's home or apt. is a grim experience.
Losing one's job and not being able to pay the rent is getting to
be common place across USA. Have some compassion and have
a heart. Sure, not everyone wants to become a maid for motel 6!!
With a college diploma, that young woman can get a good really
high paying job a few years from now. Then she would be in a better
position to help others out there. New York City is a tough city.
I have been there myself. She can make it if the systems there
work properly in the first place.

2-07-2010 @ 1:52PM

JennyT said...

I actually think this is a good example of our goverment working well. There was an injustice and and a problem with the system. It was written about, which in turn brought the issue to the people in charge and that could actively do something to correct the issues involved here. The public servants acted on this child's behalf, got her into the college she wanted to go to, and will take the exam while already starting her College education. The shelter system is changing it's policy so that this doesn't happen again. I have to say, good job NY public servants & congrats to Rosa, for getting into the college of her choice, and to Rosario, who obviously managed to raise a good kid under difficult circumstances. Best Wishes to all.

2-07-2010 @ 1:57PM

lyle said...

Thank God for the STATE , all hail the almighty STATE

2-07-2010 @ 2:06PM

Schmice said...

You are disgusting.

2-07-2010 @ 10:54PM

Trev said...

The Bracero family includes Rosa, her brother, a sister-in-law and two baby nieces, according to the Daily News.

I think this sentence says an auful lot about the situation. No husband for either the mother or the sister-in-law? Two BABIES at home. I know it is easy to say, but as an immigrant kid, we had to ALL work to pay some bills. When I went to college, I worked 30 hours a week at nights.

One half of me feels for these people but the other half wonders why they can not help themselves more and if their life choices are the cause of some, if not all, of their problems.

2-07-2010 @ 2:12PM

Joe Rogan said...

Honestly, who gives a sh*t. She should have realized that the exam was much more important and not missed it. She obviously lacks any ability to fend for herself and above all, how is she going to pay for college? Oh right, my taxes will pay her way, and like she's ever going to contribute anything positive to society. Just another case of someone with a sob story who is looking for a free pass through life. Sh*t happens - deal with it.

2-07-2010 @ 2:30PM

trooper7531 said...

Is there a way to donate to this family? I dont have much, but to help defray college costs that maybe a pell grant wouldnt cover, or helping the family get back on their feet......

2-07-2010 @ 2:38PM

Trev, you missed the part of where they lived. i guess you dont realize the average rents in the area.
also, it sounds like the brother is married and they combined households to get through a tough economical time.
It is typical of people to point out each others sins- when you dont know if they are faithful people and forgiven. Its easy to sit back in your lazyboy and judge- but its coming back your way- keep judging so the holy heat gets hotter for you and your family.
See ya at the shelter. I'll serve ya the soup and a crust of bread. I wont judge you or talk about your familys sins- you are already judged by the Most High for that because of your lack of forgiveness and compassion toward others.

2-07-2010 @ 3:04PM

antydragn2 said...

I live in NYS. For decades, the high schools offered 3 types of diplomas, regents, for those college bound, a local, for those in the vocational track or those uninterested in college and a special diploma for those with special needs. For some absolutely power mad reason, the board of regents, who have no grasp of reality, decided EVERY youth that wants to graduate from high school is required to have a regents diploma. Now let me tell you what the other 49 states and the District of Columbia colleges and universities think of a regents diploma.....it's a piece of paper! It doesn't even mean that much in NYS. After all, the local community college offers a 2 year program where you can get your GED AND an associates degree at the same time.
What this assinine decision has done is increase the drop out rate in ALL NYS high schols. Although the richer districts do a very good job in hiding this fact. The drop out rate for students who are refugees or immigrants, has sky rocketed to well over 50%.
This young woman should NEVER have had to deal with this problem. I certainly understand competency exams and not pushing a child through when they do not have the basics. But this idiotic rule has condemend NYS to a whole generation of under-educated people. I want to hang my head in shame that an educational system is so screwed up to cause a young woman such a problem.

2-07-2010 @ 2:40PM

ReadingIsADyingSkill said...

Jerry Dennis, your kindergarten daughter did not miss the matriculation date by three days--YOU did.

2-07-2010 @ 2:41PM

Derrel said...

I have received many many replies to the comment I made earlier,
let me clarify...
I do not care about her circumstances either way.
I simply stated a fact. she is FAT. So certainly she is not going without more than enough food.

2-07-2010 @ 3:02PM

jabsrams86 said...

I would also like to clarify my opinion of your comments

YOU ARE AN IDIOT

got it...or maybe I should repeat it for you...nah people like you are not worth the effort

dinosaur said...

Where is daddy, he is not mentioned in the story or listed as part of the family?

2-07-2010 @ 2:42PM

thomas said...

boy is she lucky she isn`t caucasian

2-07-2010 @ 2:53PM

Who isn't Caucasian? The people of this article? Do you even know what you are saying? Can you sound any less educated?

2-07-2010 @ 3:00PM

Fred Rael said...

It is nice that some came to her rescue, but for many that never find help, we never here of them . When will america weak up and help our people when it is to late . Just like our President that helped all the banks , And the Construction Companys . Where are all Our tax dollars going people . To other country;s and the banks for larger bouns. where our you Mr. President Help Help Our People White Black Brown And yes Yellow . Do you even remember how got you their with change . I guess not

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Teen Misses Exam Because She's Homeless; State Does The Right Thing And Arranges For College