School district may ban kids who are failing classes from going to prom, athletic events. Associate superintendant says kids' core business should be learning, and not "dropping it like it's hot".
PEORIA —
Want to go to the homecoming dance or prom or attend a basketball or football game as a spectator? Better study up.
District 150 high school students who are failing any of their "core class subjects" next year may find themselves unable to attend after-school activities.
District 150 Associate Superintendent Herschel Hannah addressed the School Board on Tuesday night, saying students need to take more responsibility with their academic performance if the district is to see gains. It's the administration's job, he added, to make demands for greater responsibility.
"Until we emphasize that academic achievement is what we want our kids to be about . . . only then will they get to perform at their highest level," Hannah said. "When students know that their core business is learning and not dribbling the basketball, it's not throwing the football, it's not hitting the ball, it's not dancing, it's not 'dropping it like it's hot,' their core business is learning, and until we stand on that and demand that, we won't get it."
Already, like most schools, District 150 requires student athletes to pass their "core classes," such as language arts, math, science or social studies. Hannah and company's proposal takes it a step further by passing that responsibility to all students, as well as creating a more profound consequence.
The idea is not new, Hannah said, pointing to one school where a similar policy was adopted, and while there was some initial "push back" by students, those who were ineligible to attend after-school activities because of a failing grade went from 169 students to 32.
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x875763232/Students-may-need-to-study-up-before-prom
