Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto
Do you have any data to support that FiM is "killing" FLL?
You have made emotional and anecdotal cases for disagreeing with the structure FiM has established. Do you have data to support this petition?
Namely, here are some basic data points to look at:
- Jr. FLL Team Growth Annually in FIM compared to Nationally
- FLL Team Growth Annually in FIM compared to Nationally
- FTC Team Growth Annually in FIM compared to Nationally
- FRC Team Growth Annually in FIM compared to Nationally
These statistics shouldn't be too hard to find for someone who knows where to look.
The results of this information could then be extrapolated to students impacted by the progression of FIRST programs in Michigan, and an informed conclusion as to the effectiveness of FiM's model could be better evaluated.
I'm very interested in hearing some data that supports or refutes the effectiveness of the FiM model.
-Mike |
Hi Mike,
Team growth would be hard to quantify as a state grant helped new teams start while some old ones have left due to the changes. So I am unable to define the difference between the two. I don't want to give false information.
The biggest problem is that myself and other coaches are watching Michigan kids who are not ready for the next level of FIRST pushed into these teams or simply leave the program. The overlapping ages as specified by the US FIRST organization allowed the kids that one extra year or two they needed to be a bit more prepared to move up. By removing the overlap they have put all students under a blanket statement with no room to accommodate any special needs.
This is my 12th year coaching and over the years about 1 in 4 of our students who would not have been ready to move up to the next level are now pushed up to FTC by these rules.