A Washington-DC area school has found itself under fire for its plan to hold a dance -- a dance where A students would also get pizza; B and C students would join the dance late, after the pizza; and others ... well, forget about them.
What surprises me here is that school officials, PTSA leaders, and other supposedly responsible adults see nothing wrong in this plan. Further, that it's being said that this event is not very different from similar efforts being made at other schools in the area.
I'm all in favor of recognition for achievement; and I have criticized the trend (opposite to the dance-throwers above) by which every student, regardless of achievement, has to receive a prize, a trophy, a certificate, or whatever. Maybe this dance is a cry in the wilderness from teachers, administrators, and parents who see this "rewards all around" policy for the sappy sham it is.
But schools DO provide recognition for students who make good grades. By giving GRADES, for one thing; and with honor rolls (much overpadded thought they may be these days), and by choosing them for honors, allowing them into advanced placement classes, and the like.
Is there a problem with adding a little party to that? Maybe. The reporter in this account fails to say who's paying for the event, so we assume it's the school. Should school funds be used to stage an event that treats different students differently? I don't think so. It seems even dumber when education specialists have demonstrated time and again that rewards for grades generally does not incentivize students.
Well, perhaps if the dance goes forward as planned, there may be some poetic justice. Have the planners considered that if this school is anything like schools I attended a few short decades ago, the kids with the A's are likely to be the ones who don't dance, or that those not invited might choose to start a rumble with those who are?
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