[Steve Wherry]

In response to the following quote:

"Why is it that it is the student who has to "get there head on straight"? Why not the teachers and administrators who are barring this kid from doing something he likes and is good for him? If some student is a major player on a FIRST team, he's probably not just some lazy jerk. It could be his grades aren't his greatest priority, or it could be he's just not very good at the game and would have to devote all his time to school in order to get even a C average."

The point that we strongly disagree on is what the school demands from all extra-curricular participants, it will demand from a FIRST team. What if a football player has the same attitude. That player could be preparing for his future in professional football, and a football player doesn't need all of this so-called education hoopla. Suddenly, the school is full of a bunch of teen-agers who "know what they need and are going to do it their way." Sounds scary.

The school curriculum and minimum expectations are what they are. If you want to change that, then you need to put your time and efforts into working with state legislators and curriculum directors in schools. However, without a decent educational background to gain their respect, they are probably not going to listen.