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She Graduated with a 3.87 GPA but Could Barely Read, Now She's Suing a School District in Washington State

Makena's family sued the Edmonds School District, alleging 'benevolent discrimination' as she was ineligible for the Washington state vocational transition program after receiving her diploma.
Despite finishing her senior year reading at a first-grade level, Makena graduated Lynnwood High with a 3.87 GPA, attorneys for Makena claim the district should have withheld her diploma until she completed the vocational program.
Attorney Lara Hruska said 'Her diploma was more of a participation trophy' and argued it shut off Makena's access to transition services, impacting her future.
The Edmonds School District denied wrongdoing and declined further comment as Makena is now in her third year at Bellevue College, earning her grades amid ongoing litigation.
That trade-off highlights questions about district diploma policies for students with disabilities, as her diploma deprived her of access to a free Washington state vocational transition program for special needs students, leading her to enroll at Bellevue College paid program costing over $40,000 per year and facing roughly $160,000 in projected debt.

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