Henry County, AL - A high school senior's parents are frustrated after they are told he will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Aaron Sanders' parents were notified three weeks ago their son would not be allowed to graduate from Headland High School on Tuesday.

Sanders passed all of his courses but did not pass the reading portion of the graduation exam.

His parents say the school didn't notify them about his performance until last week.

“It’s frustrating after a child has gone to school for 13 years and never failed a grade, perfect attendance for most of those years and just because he failed one part of the graduation exam, which is going away because it’s a failure by the state of Alabama, and he’s not allowed to walk,” said Amy Sanders, Aaron’s mother.

The Henry County School board policy requires students to pass the reading, math and one of the other three sections to earn a credit-based diploma and participate in graduation.

Henry County Interim Superintendent, Lesa Knowles said they're following that policy.

“It’s been in place. It stands. There's been no change in it. The board just stood by the policy. No vote taken. No decision changed. They just stood by the policy,” said Knowles.

Students do have the option to come back and retake the graduation exam. If they pass, they are allowed to take part in the next years' graduation ceremony.