A Washington woman has filed a landmark lawsuit against the Edmonds School District, alleging “educational malpractice” after she graduated from high school with honors despite reading at a first-grade level. The complaint argues that by awarding her a “meaningless” diploma, the district effectively stripped her of the specialized transition services she was entitled to under federal law.
Makena Simonsen, 22, graduated from Lynnwood High School in 2022 with a 3.87 GPA. However, according to a lawsuit filed in Snohomish County Superior Court, the high marks masked a stark reality: Simonsen, who has an intellectual disability, lacked basic literacy and numeracy skills. Her attorneys contend that the district’s decision to “push” her through the system resulted in “benevolent discrimination,” leaving her unprepared for adulthood and ineligible for free state-funded vocational programs.
The Cost of a “Meaningless” Diploma
The core of Simonsen’s legal challenge rests on the unintended consequences of her graduation. In Washington, students with special needs are often eligible for free vocational and life-skills transition programs through their school districts until age 21. However, once a student accepts a regular high school diploma, they are typically deemed to have completed their education, ending their eligibility for these services.
Simonsen had planned to enroll in the Edmonds School District’s free transition program to learn independent living skills. Upon graduation, she discovered she was ineligible because of her diploma.
Left without the district’s support, Simonsen enrolled in Bellevue College’s Occupational and Life Skills program. Unlike the district’s free offerings, the private program costs upwards of $40,000 annually for tuition and board. By the time she completes the program, Simonsen expects to carry roughly $160,000 in student debt.
“I should have earned that diploma, not just something that really got me nowhere,” Simonsen told local reporters.
Allegations of “Educational Malpractice”
The complaint, obtained by Cedar Law, paints a picture of a student who was consistently given high marks for material she did not comprehend. Despite receiving A and A-minus grades in math classes, the lawsuit alleges Simonsen remains unable to calculate the value of basic coins.
Attorneys for Simonsen argue the district violated its duty to provide a “Free Appropriate Public Education” (FAPE) by failing to align her curriculum with state standards.
“The District’s failure to provide Ms. Simonsen with the opportunity to access a basic education… and its decision to issue a diploma to her on that basis, thus cutting off any transitional supports, has caused significant harm,” the complaint states.
Lara Hruska, Simonsen’s attorney, described the situation as a systemic failure within the state’s special education framework. “We are seeing this as a statewide problem in Washington,” Hruska said. “Students with disabilities have their IEP [Individualized Education Program] services prematurely cut off when the District confers a regular high school diploma that simply doesn’t mean what it’s supposed to.”
District Responds to Litigation
In court filings, the Edmonds School District denied any wrongdoing. The district maintains that Simonsen’s general education classes were aligned with Washington state standards and that she was provided the education to which she was entitled.
The district has moved to have the case dismissed, arguing that the issuance of the diploma was a valid recognition of her completed coursework. Representatives for the district have declined further comment, citing the ongoing nature of the litigation.
A Growing Precedent for Special Education
The outcome of Simonsen v. Edmonds School District could have significant implications for how school districts across the Pacific Northwest handle graduation for students with Individualized Education Programs. If the court finds in favor of Simonsen, it could force districts to implement more rigorous assessments before conferring diplomas to students with intellectual disabilities, ensuring they have truly mastered the required skills.
Despite the legal battle, Simonsen reports that she is finding success at Bellevue College, where she says she is “actually earning” her grades for the first time.
The case continues in Snohomish County Superior Court, where a judge will eventually determine if a high school diploma is a certification of achievement or, as the plaintiff alleges, a tool for administrative convenience.
