Reply to Exclusive school clubs in 4th and 5th grade

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We have a variety of clubs, some open to all and others by application and/or where cuts are made. In elementary school, my child could tell me which math and reading group she was in and how that compared to others, plus had special pull outs for those two subject areas as she and some of her peers were seemingly more advanced. She also was asked by the teacher leading a club to do the math afterschool activity being offered. I see this as teachers differentiating and challenging my child. Other clubs she has had to go through an application process and cuts have become more common in middle school, which is perfectly fine by me. We can't always be selected and she needs to learn that lesson. Having a wide breadth of clubs helps children find their interests and have new experiences. As long as you do not perceive children are being cherrypicked for activities because of their parents' status on the PTA, careers, etc. I think it is okay if not all clubs are open to all. [/quote]

The cherry-picking definitely happened at our elementary school. [/quote]

Absolutely. And sometimes it benefited my kid because she was well liked by the teachers and we were active at the school (we never pressed anyone to choose her, but it was common for the kids if people who volunteered a lot or donated money often to get picked).

But it was bad for school culture. It creates resentment and also undermines the kids. It would have been better for my DD to be selected for fewer things but entirely on her merit (and she has plenty of merit). The perception, not inaccurate, that the school was just playing favorites made the culture weird and uncomfortable.[/quote]

There’s also the very real problem that some teachers have problems with some kids’ immutable characteristics, or think their job is advancing equity to the benefit of some kids and the costs others. If you can’t explain your criteria, parents are going to quite reasonably suspect there might be something like this going on. You want to see a school self immolate… this is how you do it.[/quote]

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