Denying Students into class

[whytheheckme]

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