The knee-jerk reaction to the policy that allows a student who
receives a failing grade to continue to participate in extra- and
co-curricular activities is:
”
are you kidding?
”
The knee-jerk reaction to the policy that allows a student who receives a failing grade to continue to participate in extra- and co-curricular activities is: “are you kidding?”
Most say a student who fails a class should be banished from all fun, punishing them and motivating them to do better. But is that the case? Gilroy Unified, San Jose Unified and Milpitas Unified allow students to continue playing sports, attending dances, and joining clubs and organizations, and their dropout rates are no worse than Morgan Hill’s. In fact, Morgan Hill’s drop out rates are higher than all but Gilroy’s.
After all board members had a chance to speak at Tuesday night’s meeting, Morgan Hill Unified School District Board President Peter Mandel announced the consensus of the board after discussion: maintain consistency between middle school and high school, and remove the “No F” policy for grades 7 through 12. The policy change will go before the board on Sept. 13 for a final vote.
The bottom line is that allowing students to continue participating could keep some students in school. Punishing them pushes them away.
We’ve already cut most vocational and trade classes, and if budget deficits grow any larger, after school activities could be next. Continuing to cut things that help keep marginal students in school is not the answer. Allowing them to participate is one.
A recent study by the American College of Sports Medicine showed that the more active children were, such as participating in a sport or other vigorous activity, the better they did in school.
Numerous other studies show that after school programs, whether they’re band, Future Farmers of America, or theater, drama and the arts, are proven to lower juvenile crime rates. After school programs give young people the chance to form meaningful relationships with adults and encourage them to get involved in the community.
Trustee Kathy Sullivan, who revealed during board discussion that she received a failing grade in high school chemistry and had to take summer school, said the goal is not to punish students.
“I don’t condone an F as satisfactory. We still have the requirement that there has to be a 2.0 minimum,” she said. “I don’t feel like we should punish them. Sometimes, it’s a wake-up call.”
So, when the school board meets Sept. 13 for a final vote, let’s hope it’s a vote for the future. Our students deserve nothing less.
