Mother Seeks Honors Status for Daughter in Spec. Ed. Classes

For years, Judith Webb has driven a car plastered with bumper stickers touting her daughter's honor-roll standing. For years, her daughter's name has been printed in the local newspaper along with the names of other students who made the honor roll.

And now, Ms. Webb wants to see her daughter graduate with honors from Denbigh High School in Newport News, Va. But under the school district's rules, Laneka Shenae Webb cannot.

The 18-year-old has cognitive disabilities that have left her at a 3rd grade reading level, her mother said, and she has the general academic ability of an 8- or 9-year-old. But that, school officials said, is not why Ms. Webb can't wear the gold tassel that denotes an honors graduate at...