Re: Academic Performance and Scouting.
CHUCK BRAMLET (chuckb@AZTEC.ASU.EDU)
Tue, 30 Dec 1997 11:43:17 -0700
This one has my "hackles" rising, so I guess it's time to put in my
$0.02 on this issue.
** Soapbox mode on **
Arizona started a policy a few years ago, called "No pass, no play".
The object was exactly what has been stated in this thread - to make
sure that the kids maintain a certain grade level to "represent the
school". It also extends to band, which is taken as a class in several
schools, and performance with the band affects the grade. So, poor
academic performance in _one_ other class makes the student ineligible
to perform with the band, which now places the student in the position
of failing in _2_ classes.
This is _not_ right!
Also, on a more personal note, a friend here at work has a daughter
who has a learning disability that includes ADD. She was unable to
perform to the academic standards, partially due to the subject matter,
and partially to her LDs. That made no difference to the school. She
was kicked off the girls basketball team, which she loved, because she
wasn't mentally/emotionally able to pass certain classes. The overall
effect of this was to destroy any desire that she may have had to reach
the required academic performance.
There is a saying that goes something like "The road to [7734] is paved
with good intentions." I can think of _no_ better example than a
policy like this.
I have faced this in my own family, where my daughter is mildly ADD.
_Every_single_ year, we must prove all over again to the counseling
office at her HS that she needs special consideration, and every single
year we are faced with at least one teacher that considers her lazy.
What is the special consideration that we are asking for? That the
_teacher_ remind her to turn in her homework, and be available if she
has further questions. But the school policy is that HS aged children
should be responsible enough to do it without being reminded, therefore,
they won't. They argue that college doesn't either. But I hate to tell
you how many college classes that I have taken where the teachers ask
for or remind the students to turn in homework.
If there had been a policy like this in my Troop when I was a boy, I
likely wouldn't have held the SPL job in my Troop. Also, another point
that I don't remember seeing yet - isn't this de facto adding to the
reqs? As these positions are in the group that are required for Eagle,
are you not saying that a boy must have a 2.7 GPA to make Eagle?
As has been stated before in this thread, but a bit differently: There
are some children whose best effort may not be up to the "sluffing" of
others. I.e., there are some who will succeed without trying, and some
who will never really succeed no matter how hard they try. We tell our
boys to "Do your best". Do not these policies tell some boys that
their best isn't good enough?
** Soapbox mode off **
YiS,
Chuck Bramlet, ASM Troop 323,
Firebird District, Grand Canyon Council, Phoenix, Az. Member DNRC
I "used to be" an Antelope! WEM-10-95 mailto:chuckb@aztec.asu.edu
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