The following letter to the editor is written in response to a school district’s “no pass, no play” policy, which states that students must pass all their classes in order to participate in any extracurricular activity.
Dear Editor,
The “no pass, no play” rule needs to be changed. It encourages students to drop out of school, is unfair to certain types of learners, and is too focused on only one aspect of life.
Some students remain in school only because they want to participate in some activity. There are many activities from which students can choose. They may do well in all of their classes but one. That one class, however, forces them out of the only thing keeping them in school. Whatever gain the rule brings is completely lost if we lose the student entirely.
People learn differently. Unfortunately, the classroom is usually the only environment in which students are given a chance to learn. Failing a class in that environment doesn’t necessarily mean the student is bad. It may mean merely that the student is different. Not all students perform the same in a classroom environment. Punishing such a student is the wrong answer.
Some students have great skills in areas other than academics. They need a place to develop those skills. Extracurricular activities provide such a place. When we prevent students from developing their skills, we’re moving in the wrong direction.
The “no pass, no play” rule may have good intentions, but it also has many undesirable consequences. Therefore, I oppose the current policy.
Sincerely,
Monica Washington
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Which sentence best supports the argument in this letter?
(1 point)
Responses
Allowing students to participate in things they are good at will enhance their self-esteem.
Allowing students to participate in things they are good at will enhance their self-esteem.
Focusing students on their grades will help them many years later.
Focusing students on their grades will help them many years later.
The school district has changed over the past few years.
The school district has changed over the past few years.
The school has added several extracurricular activities in the past year.