Horrified at Dysart’s minimum passing grade for sports

Independent Newsmedia/Charlene Bisson

Tell Us What You Think

What are your thoughts on Dysart Unified School District raising its minimum passing grade to C from a D to be eligible to play sports? Tell us in 300 words or less at yourvalley.net/letters, or email your comments, name, address and contact number to AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

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OPINION — I honestly read in disbelief that the pass-to-play athletic-eligibility floor at Dysart Unified School District is a D grade.

Is that really what we want to communicate to our children and students?

We as a community are doing them a terrible disservice for having such a low bar for academic achievement. Athletics should be complimentary adjuncts to an academic program. Parents, teachers and coaches and the community have an obligation to instill an atmosphere that sets a premium value on education.

This should begin in elementary school. Children need our support to guide them and intervene early if there is a need for additional support in an area of study.

The achievement bar needs to rise. It is imperative that the adults in our DUSD model and set expectations that reflect the capabilities of these young minds. Students can reach and succeed if we spend the time to identify and communicate priorities and expectations.

Participating in a high school sport is a wonderful outlet and a huge motivator that enriches a student’s educational experience. We should expect students to work hard at learning in the classrooms to gain basic competencies.

A C grade seems reasonable. Children are in school to receive an education. Sometimes that seems to be forgotten.

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