When did we break the link between actions and natural consequences? My 4th and 5th grade science and reading teachers always seemed to have trouble getting their students to predict effects when given a cause or identifying possible causes when given effects or outcomes. The biggest problem, to me, seemed to be that the children had not experienced this for themselves. Too many times in their young lives had this natural learning experience been perverted through the interference of some well meaning adult. This happened at home, in public, at school and was often observed in the lives of 'role models' such as sports and entertainment figures. As a result children, and some adults, began to doubt the 'cause and effect' relationship in their lives.
This has been going on for some time, perhaps more than 20 years. In any event we now have a parental generation that seeks to totally insulate their kids from logical consequences in the name of protecting them. Case in point. Recently, at a home basketball game four Mexia starters decided it would be fun to break out several windows on the visiting team's bus, so they did. Their punishment? They had to sit out ONE GAME! Why, pressure from the coaches, school board, and even the administration because this team was highly ranked statewide and was expected to contend for a state championship. Another opportunity lost to demonstrate cause and effect.
There is another area involving cause and effect confronting many schools in Texas, including ours. There is no real penalty or consequence when a school or a district fails to perform academically. There are districts that have been UNACCEPTABLE academically for years while they continue to excell on the athletic fields and courts. This is wrong!
Any school's first responsibility is to prepare students academically to take their places as informed, educated citizens of our republic. Educational institutions must concentrate on the successful accomplishment of that function BEFORE seeking excellence in extra-curricular activities.
I would strongly propose that when any school falls to a rating of ACADEMICALLY UNACCEPTABLE it be barred from UIL athletic competition until that rating has been overcome. No football, no basketball, no band, no twirling, etc. until academics have been improved!
Too harsh? Inactions as well as actions have or should have consequences!
This has been going on for some time, perhaps more than 20 years. In any event we now have a parental generation that seeks to totally insulate their kids from logical consequences in the name of protecting them. Case in point. Recently, at a home basketball game four Mexia starters decided it would be fun to break out several windows on the visiting team's bus, so they did. Their punishment? They had to sit out ONE GAME! Why, pressure from the coaches, school board, and even the administration because this team was highly ranked statewide and was expected to contend for a state championship. Another opportunity lost to demonstrate cause and effect.
There is another area involving cause and effect confronting many schools in Texas, including ours. There is no real penalty or consequence when a school or a district fails to perform academically. There are districts that have been UNACCEPTABLE academically for years while they continue to excell on the athletic fields and courts. This is wrong!
Any school's first responsibility is to prepare students academically to take their places as informed, educated citizens of our republic. Educational institutions must concentrate on the successful accomplishment of that function BEFORE seeking excellence in extra-curricular activities.
I would strongly propose that when any school falls to a rating of ACADEMICALLY UNACCEPTABLE it be barred from UIL athletic competition until that rating has been overcome. No football, no basketball, no band, no twirling, etc. until academics have been improved!
Too harsh? Inactions as well as actions have or should have consequences!
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