Denying Students into class

[Zak698]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

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

I completely agree with them. I was president of team 698 during the 2008 games. i have now graduated and am a mentor for the team. Our school also has a class to go along with the club, it is set up as a open to everyone, but if they were fooling off or not doing anything at all they would get transferred out of the class.

[catsylve]

To deny a student the opportunity to learn is always a mistake. My second year teaching I started keeping a folder of things that showed me that giving someone a chance had made a difference. The folder is OVERFLOWING after 15 years.

There was a point for every single one of us that we didn't know where we were going or what we would do. School is the place we hope to show them. This is why I teach in a public school and always will. Those difficult students need to be in your class and learn from you as well as the teacher. You don't have to be a teacher to make a difference in their lives. Caring role models will do the same.

[thefro526]

Give them a chance, it's that simple. After a month or so if they don't live up to your team and class standards then ask them to leave. Odds are, if they haven't left on their own then they do fit into the program.

In my opinion there are a lot of kids on my team who shouldn't be but they are also the kids who aren't involved very much so it really doesn't matter. If you look at it those who want to be there, even if it's to go on trips or to hang with friends, they will work hard for what they want. And if they get inspired along the way then it's a bonus.

[Carlee10]

I think that this is a tricky tightrope to walk. If they meet requirements, but you don't think they'll be able to go those few extra steps to really get it, then thats a hard call to make. If you see the potential, then at least let them try. If you don't want to give them a flat no, then tell them that would benefit most from waiting, unless they're going to be senoirs, in which case I would let them join.

I understand about having cooperation and communication and good feelings in a workplace. Sometimes ours gets out of whack, and a couple of things happen. First, we don't get things done. Second, somebody usually ends up getting insulted. Third, it's usually louder from all the yelling that's going on. Everybody agreeing and getting along and having a common passion and goal is just as important, to me, as meeting the "requirements". You could have the best grades, reccommendations, and be Ken Jennings, but if you don't mesh well with the others and don't have the same apparant drive and passion, I think it's right to say let's wait, or give them a trial run.

I don't really see this as denying them learing,seeing as they're still on the team, but rather as a way to keep harmony. If they really want to be in the class, they'll change or they won't. If you let them in and it works out, great! If you do and it doesn't, well, you need to be more careful. If you tell them to wait and it works out later, than fine, that was a good decision. Based on what Torboticsmember said, this is pretty much how I'd look at this.

[dtengineering]

You say that the decision of who is in the class is up to the teacher. Fair enough... there are, presumably, limited class spaces and demand for the spaces exceeds supply. In that case it makes sense to ration the spaces to those most likely to benefit from the spaces.

However if it is the teachers' decision, then it is also the teachers' responsibility to discuss this with the students in question.

NOT yours.

You can offer encouragement, support, etc. but the responsibilty to communicate the decision lies with the person who makes the decision.

Jason

[nlknauss]

I've worked with some teachers who share the motto, "Teachers have the right to teach, students have the right to learn."

I am sure that your school district would not want to deny these students the opportunity to learn, even if the class is directly related to the team. So work with these students and help them take advantage of the opportunity to be class. Inspiration can happen anywhere at anytime.