A program for Clark County high school students to earn tuition-free college credits is actually delaying some from graduating.

In the past few years, a handful of Camas and Washougal students didn’t graduate from high school on time while participating in Clark College’s Running Start program.

“I think there’s an academic component, but I also think there’s a social and emotional readiness (element) as well that we’re seeing — and sometimes not seeing,” Camas School District Superintendent John Anzalone said. “I know for Camas, we have seen quite a few students really struggle with one or both of those aspects.”

He and Washougal’s superintendent said the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act prevents high school officials from learning a student is failing a class at Clark until

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