Denying Students into class
 

Our team is going into our third year in the competition and like last year we have a class to go along with the competition. Since we try to be selective in the members that are aloud in the class, we have found 2 people that we do not believe will be able to live up to the expectations that we expect the students in the class to live up to. We have had input from their teachers and other students on the team that know them. What I am asking you is what is the best way to tell them with GP that we don't think they will be right for the class. But we are inviting them to still be on the team and work on the robot during the build season, and come to the competition.

Thanks
Torboticsmember

Re: Denying Students into class
 

I don't believe that it is your choice who can be in the class. There is no GP way to deny them if they meet the requirements for the class.

Seeing how this program brings out the best in people, I would think you would want them there.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

Agreed. This program is supposed to broaden the appeal of STEM, not to be a gatekeeper of knowledge. Let them in.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

I would say let them in also. It's their loss if they do not put forth the effort to succeed in said class but you don't have a right to deny them the chance.

-Vivek

Re: Denying Students into class
 

Even though this is a class, our team has set requirements for each of its students. Does the class have requirements? Certain grades? Teacher recommendation? Although this seems un-GP, this is how most things work. They're not going to hire you to work on the space shuttle if you got a bad grade in Calculus or if you do not get along with other employees.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

I don't know that there is enough information in the OP's post to make a clear assessment of criteria required for a robotics class.

That said, it would be the teacher's/administration's call, not the students.

If part of being on the FIRST team is curriculum based and assignments, productivity, journals, tests, etc. are part of the grade then this has to be taken back to falling under the school's responsibility to the students.

Bottom line, if it is a class and the students decide who can be in the class, that sends up a red flag for me, personally.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

If the actual issue is potential behavioral problems, or lack of work ethic, or both, I can give you an example as to how our team handles this.

We have open registration for our team in October, where anyone and everyone can apply. They simply fill out an application, with tons of questions, not just about their knowledge of robotics (this isn't so important), but also as to WHY they want to join the team, and what they think they will get out of the experience. After all of the applications are in, our three co-captains (students) and lead mentor (teacher) review the applications. Typically 90-95% of the students move to the next stage of the process. The other 5-10% will not, as to the discretion of the team leaders. These students are typically picked because, according to their application, they want to be on the team to exclusively 'hang out with their friends', 'go on trips', etc. While those are fun things involved with FIRST, if students do not express interest in the important things as well, we feel that the program is not for them.

After the students are selected to move on, they are required to show up to the weekly class scheduled during a multi-purpose block. Attendance is heavily weighted at the next cut. Students are broken up into the different groups during this class (electrical, mechanical, marketing, finance, etc.) The group leaders of each of these groups (we have somewhere on the order of 12 groups in our team, with a total of between 40 and 50 students) will have recommendations for each student at the time of the next cut as well.

This next cut is about mid-way through build-season. Their performance can be weighted along with their attendance and a few other factors, such as behavior (however a separate behavioral policy is also in effect, explained below.) Typically about 80% of the students make it through this cut.

The final cut is at the end of build season, when deciding who goes on what trips. Typically there are a few different travel categories (i.e. All remaining students at this point are allowed to travel to the Connecticut Regional (as we are in the hosting city) (and except for those students on suspension or probation from the team.) and another (smaller, probably about 75% of the remaining team) group that will travel to our second regional, and yet another to go to championships (if applicable.))

Behavior is a whole other situation. Minor behavioral problems are noted by sub-team leaders, and will be brought up at cut times. More major behavioral issues might warrant the issuing of a yellow or red card (different levels of probation) to a particular team member (these again, are heavily considered at cut times, as well as may prevent a student from being able to have certain responsibilities.) For much more severe problems, a student may be put on suspension, meaning that they can't participate on the team at all for the rest of the year. The worst situation for a student is being permanently kicked off of the team, without the chance to re-apply. Fortunately this has only happened on two occasions on our team (in it's 2.5 year existence.)

While we are an inter-city school with many cultural, and behavioral problems, we have set up a system that seems to work for us. Every student that wants to participate gets a chance to do so, and if they show effort and willingness to learn, get to reap the benefits.

Hope this helps!
Jacob

Re: Denying Students into class
 

Team RUSH has always had an application process. We are required to put in resumes, have an interview, and get recommendations from our parents, our teachers. We also have to write several short essays. Students have been turned down.

On the topic of denying entry in a GP way, it should be done by the teacher of the course. They should be informed why they did not meet the requirements so over the next year they can work towards meeting them if this is something they want to do. Also, keep a record of who applied and why they were turned down. If they come back next year after addressing the issue then you may want to recognize this desire to better themselves.

To all the people who said that they should be allowed on because no one should be denied the chance to learn. Ive known several students who caused problems on RUSH and had to be asked to leave the team. If a teacher has to spend time disciplining kids that is less time they can spend teaching. It is not a decision to be taken lightly and it cannot be made solely by one person. Also, regarding the student input, I believe that students should not judge other students.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

There are a couple students on 166 that get into trouble and don't do well in school. How would we be helping them by denying them a membership on our team?

For many of these students, FIRST is the only lever that will get them to change their ways, do better in school, and stay out of trouble.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

I personally think we have some kids in the classes and on the team that shouldn't be there. But it is their choice, parents' and the school's choice.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

If it's driven solely by the team then you should be able dictate who gets to attend competition and who doesn't. If it's school driven I would caution you on even thinking of denying anyone. The last thing school districts want to hear is an angry parent ripping their head off because their child cannot participate in a school activity because they are percived to be a problem. The school district will crack down on the team in a heartbeat. It's easier to deal with an unruly student than an uncooperative school administration.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

Here's a story from my college days.

Everyone had to have so many English credits. There was a class called Women's Lit and a bunch of football players signed up for the class thinking it would be an easy A, easy class.

One of the books that was read/discussed/studied was I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou.

It was an intensive class with a lot of assignments and a lot of class interaction was required. Some of the football players dropped the course but some stayed and became active participants. At the end of the course, one of the guys told me it was the best class he had taken so far and he was glad he had overcome his preconceived notions towards the subject matter and the easy A. He made the decision to go the distance, do the work, and be open to a different way of thinking.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

Don't make preconceived notions about the students. All students should have equal opportunities to learn.

Let them into the class. Introduce them to robotics, teach them. It make take some extra effort to teach them, and it may take an alternative channel to reach them, but be patient. If you are looking to teach higher level robotics concepts in the main course, then you should also have an intro level course in which you can refer them to.

If they express absolutely no interest in learning - or even attempting to learn - then you can ask them to leave the class if they are disrupting the class for those students who are interested in learning.

But just be cautious of falling into the "every student should perform the same" idea of No Child Left Behind. Some students will learn faster than others, and some will learn better through some methods (lectures, reading, hands-on labs, etc.) than others. Instead of expecting all to always achieve the same level, you should instead seek to challenge all students at levels equal to their learning speed/methods.

Education is one area where "one size fits all" never applies, so try not to mistake a slower learning student who struggles with some concepts for one who expresses no interest in learning them. Also realize that while not all students in FIRST will go into engineering professions, all of them will use the knowledge and skills learned through FIRST to better their lives, no matter what their ultimate career choice is.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

I could not agree more. We have always had an open door policy to any students wanting to be on the team. However, this program is not for everybody, and we have had to ask a few to leave. This has been done to keep the team focused and not distracted by the wanderings of some disruptive students. These have never been easy decisions. We believe in giving each student every opportunity to succeed, however, if their actions continue to be a hinderance to the team, then the student will asked to leave by the teacher.

Re: Denying Students into class
 

Yes, some people should be pushed. If a student demonstrates a willingness to learn they should never be denied.I admire those students. Some students have a history of discipline problems. I am merely remarking that some students, such as ones who have been suspended for insubordination (by multiple teachers) don't belong on an FRC team. Yes they may shape up but at the same time, they could cause problems and negatively impact the learning of other students.

Perhaps the correct solution would be to let the students in as probationary members. Actually this should be done with all new students. Just to see if things work or not.