Originally posted by Unregistered
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Unregistered
Originally posted by Unregistered View PostWe had a similar situation two years back with a similar profile player - town maybe not quite as tough but the kid was making bad choices and the parents were completely uninvolved, self-absorbed and in denial. Coach tried like crazy to keep him on the team so he would have something structured in his life but the HS stuck to the rules. Yes I absolutely know academic rules are there for a very good reason. But it's hard to watch in situations like that because you know statistically the odds are not good for a kid like that.
Wish there was some sort of evaluation process for kids with academic issues effecting eligibility in high school. Kids who don't go to school or don't even pretend to try are one thing -- but "good kids" who struggle are left in cold sometimes. I know that's difficult/perhaps impossible to enact, but in a perfect world.......
I've always insisted that my kids be involved in "something" outside of school. For a host of reasons -- but primarily because busy kids do better than kids with too much time on their hands.
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Unregistered
Our HS gives waivers to "at risk" kids at a much higher rate. Kids are only supposed to be able to get one waiver and no more but I know of 3 kids at our school that got three waivers each. These kids came from unstable homes, and the school got around the waiver rule by using the risk to behavior analysis you state.
Sorry, I don't agree with this approach. It promotes excuse making, which is the norm in today's society,
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Unregistered
Originally posted by Unregistered View PostOur HS gives waivers to "at risk" kids at a much higher rate. Kids are only supposed to be able to get one waiver and no more but I know of 3 kids at our school that got three waivers each. These kids came from unstable homes, and the school got around the waiver rule by using the risk to behavior analysis you state.
Sorry, I don't agree with this approach. It promotes excuse making, which is the norm in today's society,
If a kid is lousy at school, in an unstable home, and "at risk" I'd much rather he or she be on a team and following the rules of that team than out the school door at 2:00 and hanging with other at risk kids.
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Unregistered
Originally posted by Unregistered View PostI think you may have nailed it. There was allot of talk three years ago that Ludlow should have had kids suspended after the state semifinal. I remember some story where a ref assignor in WMass is somehow connected to the Ludlow program
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Unregistered
Originally posted by Unregistered View PostGenerally I agree with the excuse making issue. However, it's not like suggesting we give a waiver from jail time in the case of someone doing something wrong.
If a kid is lousy at school, in an unstable home, and "at risk" I'd much rather he or she be on a team and following the rules of that team than out the school door at 2:00 and hanging with other at risk kids.
BTW, just because a kid comes from an "unstable family" or is "at risk" doesn't necessarily mean he or she should fail classes. There are plenty of kids from good and bad homes who both do well academically, and fail. The job of the school should be to concentrate on identifying WHY the kid can't pass the classes. Is it because of academic gaps, learning disabilities, or a lack of effort or supervision from home?
I am an educator, and I understand the value of participation in sports, but this crosses the line into excuse making and failure to address the academic concerns. Maybe if the kid does better in school, the self esteem will rise, and this will translate into better decision making. Instead, the message is sent that there are different rules for that kid and that the world owes him/her a pass.
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Unregistered
The kid failed 3 of his 6 classes the previous year and didn't make them up in summer school. I find it hard to believe this could have gone unnoticed by the school.
source: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/high-...acate_aid34979
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Unregistered
Originally posted by Unregistered View PostDon't give the waivers. To keep out of trouble, have the kid practice with the team, attend games as the manager, and get extra help. There are other options.
BTW, just because a kid comes from an "unstable family" or is "at risk" doesn't necessarily mean he or she should fail classes. There are plenty of kids from good and bad homes who both do well academically, and fail. The job of the school should be to concentrate on identifying WHY the kid can't pass the classes. Is it because of academic gaps, learning disabilities, or a lack of effort or supervision from home?
I am an educator, and I understand the value of participation in sports, but this crosses the line into excuse making and failure to address the academic concerns. Maybe if the kid does better in school, the self esteem will rise, and this will translate into better decision making. Instead, the message is sent that there are different rules for that kid and that the world owes him/her a pass.
I'm not saying it's right -- it's actually an abomination.
My point is just that for the most part the success or failure of High School sports does little to improve the educational standard of the school as whole. Every one would like to have a winner but, unlike college sports, it's not like a state championship does anything to improve the education levels or ability to provide same in any given high school. In my opinion, sports should be viewed part of the overall educational experience -- same with any other extracurricular activity tied to the school.
I say that because there are some benefits to participating in high school sports that are inherently valuable in and of themselves -- even from an educational perspective. I'm a college graduate and can honestly say that I learned lessons from my high school coaches that compare with lessons learned in the classroom (HS or college) and continue to serve me well today.
Didn't get a college scholarship and Lord knows I never earned a penny from playing a game -- but I most certainly benefited tremendously from playing high school sports.
In a perfect world kids who struggle in school would have the safety nets you suggest -- both within the school and outside the school. However, I'd suggest that you and I both know that's often not the case.
I stand by my view that an "at risk" kid (however that risk manifests itself) is better off on a playing field -- if only to use it as an incentive to stay in school.
Give me a reason for a kid with troubles to stay in school for as long as possible and I'll snap your fingers off to take it. Doesn't matter whether that reason is a teacher that makes a special impact, a soccer team, a drama club, or any other extracurricular activity that encourages him or her to stick around.
Sorry in advance -- end of rant.
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Unregistered
Kudos to the board to sticking to the rules. Like someone said how could that have gone unnoticed? At a minimum his guidance counselor would have known he was rocking multiple F's that were still unsatisfied by early September.
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Originally posted by Unregistered View PostKudos to the board to sticking to the rules. Like someone said how could that have gone unnoticed? At a minimum his guidance counselor would have known he was rocking multiple F's that were still unsatisfied by early September.
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