DATE: Wednesday, February 26, 1997          TAG: 9702260493

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 

DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS                      LENGTH:   67 lines

SPECIAL-EDUCATION GRAD, 11 TIMES ON HONOR ROLL, WANTS GOLD TASSEL

Eleven times Laneka Shenae Webb has made the honor roll since she started middle school. The 12th-grade student at Denbigh High School has brought home all A's and B's for three years. And on graduation day, she wants a gold honors tassel on her mortar board.

Laneka, however, is a mentally retarded student who doesn't know how to count money, reads at a third-grade level and earned her high marks in special education courses.

Her family says she should be recognized as an honors graduate at commencement ceremonies this spring, but school officials say that is not possible.

``My daughter has achieved honors status; she needs to be recognized,'' said Judith Webb, Laneka's mother. ``So do other special education students who achieve honors status.''

Students who graduate with a 3.0 grade point average or better are given the gold tassels at commencement ceremonies that identify them as honors graduates. But the key word, according to the Newport News public schools district, is ``graduate.''

Special education students typically receive a certificate, not a full-fledged diploma, and thus do not officially graduate because many of them do not take the required courses.

``You either follow the policy or you don't,'' said Harvey Perkins, the school district's assistant superintendent for instructional services. ``Why not make an exception for the kid who gets a 2.99 GPA? . . . You could say, `Let all class officers wear them.' ''

Laneka's psychiatrist, however, argued that she worked hard to make good grades at her level and it deserves recognition.

``While the level of performance required of Laneka to achieve honor roll may have been different than that of students attending regular classes, not allowing her to wear colors sends a mixed message regarding the importance of her striving for excellence within her range of capability,'' Dr. Spencer Marcus wrote in a letter to the school district.

Laneka suffered severe skull fractures when she was 5 weeks old. No one was arrested in the incident, and a social worker described it in a 1978 report as an accident. But the report said the baby's home environment did not appear to be good, and the Newport News Department of Social Services took custody of her. She remained there and in foster homes until 1981, when Alfred and Judith Webb adopted her.

The question of her being an honors grad was raised in a late November meeting between the Webbs and Laneka's teacher and guidance counselor. The Webbs were told she could not have a gold tassel. They have met with other school officials since, but it has gotten the family nowhere.

Perkins said he stands by the school board policies and will not recommend that the school board change them. He said he did not object to other recognition for special education students who do well, such as banquets or ceremonies.

School board Chairwoman Betty Ann Davis told the Daily Press she wants to know more about the situation before she comments on it. ``It's a very emotional issue. It's very important to those involved,'' said said.

No one keeps track of how many special education students make the honor rolls in district school, Perkins said. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Laneka Shenae Webb, front, with her adoptive parents Judith and

Alfred Webb and sister, Cherise, 8. Laneka and her family say she

should be recognized for her achievement and wear the gold honors

tassel when she finishes high school this spring. The school

disagrees.

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