Withholding transcripts

[DaFreak71]

I am in my final semester of an ADN program. During orientation of this final semester, we were informed that we would be receiving ATI (formerly ERI) testing and that we needed to pass it or we *might* not graduate. It was too vauge at the time to really worry about, plus we were just starting our final semester and had a lot of other things to worry about, lol.

Our class has just been informed that we have two chances to pass ATI (toward the end of the semester I believe...but thus far we have not had any access to it). If we do not pass it in two tries, we have to pay for additional tests. I have no idea how much an additional test would cost, so if anyone has information about this, I would love to know.

My major concern is this: This just got dumped in our laps. Our program will not release our transcripts until we pass ATI. This means that we cannot apply to the B.O.N. in order to get our authorization to test unless we meet this brand new requirement.

Is it legal to withhold transcripts if you graduate? They did say we would graduate, but our transcripts will be withheld (not a very big difference the way I look at it).

Additionally, is it legal to change the agreement we had with the school when we first started? In my view, this is tantamount to a contract violation.

The previous graduating class had to take ERI but they could take it as many times as they wanted and they were not under threat of having their transcripts witheld.

I know WHY the school is doing it (makes their first time pass rate look good, etc) but I would rather fail the NCLEX on the first try and have to retake it because at least my application would be processed and I could be scouting out jobs. The way our economy is going (and in my area nurses are getting called off their shifts with frequency), I don't know that it's fair for transcripts to be withheld because our class is going to be in direct competition with other schools who aren't withholding transcripts. They will get jobs first. Those who have to take additional ATI tests can't even begin their process without that transcript.

Thank you to those who can offer any insight with regard to this issue! :redbeathe