Over three separate days last week, thousands of mostly Hispanic teens walked out of more than a dozen Clark County schools to protest federal immigration reform. The students marched up the Strip, through downtown and along thoroughfares in between, thoroughly enjoying the attention of local media and police escorts.

That they had next to no understanding of the issues surrounding immigration reform should have been expected. Some thought a House proposal to make every illegal immigrant a felon had already become law. Many shouted curses at President Bush, who opposes the House bill and strongly favors legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to continue to live and work in the country. A handful readily admitted they couldn't name any legislative proposals under consideration in Congress -- but what group of local students, regardless of race or ethnicity, would pass such a current events quiz?

Their rallies became demonstrations of Latino solidarity, rather than support or opposition to specific policy. And they reminded everyone that our First Amendment rights to free expression and peaceful assembly are indeed alive and well.

But free speech does not come without a cost. Aside from galvanizing local taxpayers who are tired of paying for the education and health care of illegal immigrants, the student protesters imposed a huge burden on the Clark County School District.

Last week was vitally important for thousands of students across the valley. Many high school students were preparing for or taking the state's proficiency exam. And middle school students were taking their own standardized tests. Some students actually walked out of testing used to measure progress under the No Child Left Behind Act, bombing their own results while disrupting students who were actually trying to do well.

"This was the worst week this could have happened," said Joyce Haldeman, the district's director of community relations.

Such circumstances should have brought an appropriately stern response. But on Tuesday, the school district sent buses to pick up student protesters and return them to their schools. And rather than slap each student with immediate suspension, district officials credited students with unexcused absences, which allow them to make up assignments or tests they might have missed. Friday's ditchers are in the same boat.

It's another classic example of the district kowtowing to the lowest common denominator. Administrators are bending over backward and expending significant resources to accommodate students who don't want to be in class.

Every student with unexcused absences should be suspended and required to wait in line -- with their parents -- to discuss their priorities with school officials.

If the school district doesn't do something right now to discourage disruptive walkouts, how frequently will they occur when Congress actually makes progress on reform legislation?