Could this be the year....the IHSA implodes?

SOUTHSIDECFD

Senior
Oct 1, 2009
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This year could be more of an anomaly. Most of the public schools were closed for a year. The Catholic and private schools for the most part stayed open.

Plus the CCL did play a six game spring season. That gave then a very big leg up. The big public schools like LWE with their HUGE field house and MS are going to do ok. But with their feeder systems were down for a year or a year and half. They and other public schools could have sub par years coming up with less kids coming out for football.
 
May 29, 2001
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Plus the CCL did play a six game spring season. That gave then a very big leg up. The big public schools like LWE with their HUGE field house and MS are going to do ok. But with their feeder systems were down for a year or a year and half. They and other public schools could have sub par years coming up with less kids coming out for football.
If I'm not mistaken the enrollment numbers are down quite a bit at JCA and Providence from what they were 5 to 7 years ago so using what's happening in the Aurora area might not be an accurate barometer.
As far as numbers it has had an effect hasn't it? Is that why now they don"t have sophomore games played before varsity games? Many conferences have freshman playing before varsity and sophs are dressing for varsity games.
I did notice though that many of the teams that have been regulars in the playoffs that I am familar with each season are still there......The Coal Citys,Morris,Wilmington,Sycamore,Kaneland,Sterling,Metamora,etc.....like you said the better programs will be fine.It's the other schools that are and will be affected by less kids coming out.
 

Penlight

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
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If I'm not mistaken the enrollment numbers are down quite a bit at JCA and Providence from what they were 5 to 7 years ago so using what's happening in the Aurora area might not be an accurate barometer.
As far as numbers it has had an effect hasn't it? Is that why now they don"t have sophomore games played before varsity games? Many conferences have freshman playing before varsity and sophs are dressing for varsity games.
I did notice though that many of the teams that have been regulars in the playoffs that I am familar with each season are still there......The Coal Citys,Morris,Wilmington,Sycamore,Kaneland,Sterling,Metamora,etc.....like you said the better programs will be fine.It's the other schools that are and will be affected by less kids coming out.
Our reality is that the net number of High School students is down across the state.
It is affecting Private & Public schools alike.
Some districts are growing but they are few.
 

FallVibez

Redshirt
Jul 29, 2019
51
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Plus the CCL did play a six game spring season. That gave then a very big leg up. The big public schools like LWE with their HUGE field house and MS are going to do ok. But with their feeder systems were down for a year or a year and half. They and other public schools could have sub par years coming up with less kids coming out for football.
Plus Private schools will have the leg up this season because they can recruit. Where as most public schools have to workout and build their players, private are able to bring in kids who already have talent. So yes, both Public/Private had no off-seasons. Which would then give the advantage to teams who are able to pick and bring in talented kids as opposed to public where unless you get lucky with a gifted class, you weren't able to mold and build up your players.
 

tomloner reborn

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2004
1,989
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This year could be more of an anomaly. Most of the public schools were closed for a year. The Catholic and private schools for the most part stayed open. This year I think they have leg up as a whole. The younger teachers and administrators I think found sports as a nuisance last year. Several teams each of the last few years have dropped 11 man football.
If you listen to the experts they should have stacking up the dead bodies
If I'm not mistaken the enrollment numbers are down quite a bit at JCA and Providence from what they were 5 to 7 years ago so using what's happening in the Aurora area might not be an accurate barometer.
As far as numbers it has had an effect hasn't it? Is that why now they don"t have sophomore games played before varsity games? Many conferences have freshman playing before varsity and sophs are dressing for varsity games.
I did notice though that many of the teams that have been regulars in the playoffs that I am familar with each season are still there......The Coal Citys,Morris,Wilmington,Sycamore,Kaneland,Sterling,Metamora,etc.....like you said the better programs will be fine.It's the other schools that are and will be affected by less kids coming out.
Catholic families are have less children as are most families. Plus Chicagoland and Illinois are having population decreases as people move out of state for warm weather, lower taxes, and less corrupt government. Property taxes in the JCA and Providence areas are high and getting higher. Their loss is LWE's gain. I have two friends (father and son) who are St. Lawrence grads and are involved in their alumni association. Their number one zip code for alumni mailings is the LWE school district. Tough to ask people to pay those taxes, pay for travel to high school, and pay STL tuition. I think down the road the IHSA will have to go back to 6 classes.
 
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Stilllurking

Junior
Jul 23, 2020
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I think down the road the IHSA will have to go back to 6 classes.
If you mean because there aren't enough teams to fill 8, that seems a really long time away, if ever. What will happen, is football will slowly become like all the other sports, where every team makes the playoffs.
 

eireog

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Oct 6, 2007
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If you mean because there aren't enough teams to fill 8, that seems a really long time away, if ever. What will happen, is football will slowly become like all the other sports, where every team makes the playoffs.
I don’t necessarily disagree with you. We keep plowing our way towards everyone gets a trophy and away from things are earned and not given. With that being said can you imagine the day that some 0-9 team opens with a 9-0 ESL or LA? The mismatches for two rounds (at least) are going to be ridiculous.
 
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mc140

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May 29, 2001
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I don’t necessarily disagree with you. We keep plowing our way towards everyone gets a trophy and away from things are earned and not given. With that being said can you imagine the day that some 0-9 team opens with a 9-0 ESL or LA? The mismatches for two rounds (at least) are going to be ridiculous.

Teams will just forfeit and not play.
 
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Stilllurking

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Jul 23, 2020
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So what’s the point of everyone gets in ?
Every other sport does it, and yes, there are huge mismatches early.

I have no need to watch a 9-0 vs 0-9 playoff matchup, but I don't see IHSA going back to 6 classes just to avoid a 9-0 vs. 3-6 game either. It's hard to argue for football to be very selective in who makes the playoffs, when no other sport is.
 

eireog

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Oct 6, 2007
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Every other sport does it, and yes, there are huge mismatches early.

I have no need to watch a 9-0 vs 0-9 playoff matchup, but I don't see IHSA going back to 6 classes just to avoid a 9-0 vs. 3-6 game either. It's hard to argue for football to be very selective in who makes the playoffs, when no other sport is.
No other sport would offer the chance of physical harm to the athletes like this would.
 

eireog

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Oct 6, 2007
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But 8-0 teams can play 0-8 teams during week 9, and nobody mentions not playing because of injuries. If you are playing football, injuries can happen.
Agree injury is always there. I’m assuming you’re 8-0 0-8 match ups are happening within conference play. There will be a big difference when you get an 0-9 CPS team ( no disrespect to CPS) going against ESL or LA. I’m sure there are other conferences that could be used but CPS 0-9 come to mind first.
 

mc140

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May 29, 2001
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Plus the CCL did play a six game spring season. That gave then a very big leg up. The big public schools like LWE with their HUGE field house and MS are going to do ok. But with their feeder systems were down for a year or a year and half. They and other public schools could have sub par years coming up with less kids coming out for football.
Or they may have had less kids picked off by the private schools due to so few kids playing anywhere last season and they ended up at the local public by defualt.
 

mc140

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
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Does that include reading??

Kids should read every night. Stuff that interests them and at their ability level. I will let you in on a little secret. Whether its the 13k a year private high school or the free and reduced lunch school, relatively few kids do the assigned reading given to them on a nightly basis from their teachers. They find ways around it. Just like we all did 20,30 years ago.
 

godfthr53

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Sep 8, 2008
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I wouldn't have 9-0 play 0-9 teams. I'd have something along the lines of 0-9 teams playing 4-5 teams that would feed into a 9-0 which either had a bye week or played a 5-4. Not sure how it would work exactly but would depend on the # of teams.
 
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colin2229

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Jul 23, 2005
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We can, I think, all agree that students should be proficient in certain math skills before they move up a grade. What difference does it make if they have to take a test 10 times before they show a level of proficiency that allows them to understand the topic?
This is precisely the point and the argument the parents are making.

The more times a kid can take a test takes time away from moving on to other challenging material. The teacher has to make new tests and spend time reviewing material again and again. Instead of at the end of semester teaching long division, you have only gotten to 2+2.

Imagine, in football, if the coach kept reviewing a day 1 install over and over again because certain kids weren't spending the time necessary to learn the concepts. Rather than going into the first game with 14 days of install, they go in with 3 days of install. You have limited your chances to succeed and have held back the kids that put the time in to learn the plays. Thus, the higher achieving kids now have a lower ceiling.

I first heard this analogy from Illinois native PJ Fleck and explains a lot of the success he's had.
"We live in a world where 10% of people are high achievers, 80% are average achievers and 10% are low achievers. In football terms, the top 10% are championship level kids that always do what is right with maximum effort. The 80% do just enough to get by and give out average effort. The bottom 10% you don't want in your program. They only care when it's convenient and are about themselves.

The goal of a coach is create and demand a culture that gets as many of the 80% to move into the top 10%. You sent high standards and demand them from your players and the ones that don't buy in fall off. But you get more championship level players and grow the team. To the contrary, when you set low standards, the 80% move into the bottom 10% and even worse, the top 10% get frustrated and leave the program.


This is why parents are frustrated when public schools lower their standards why parents send their kid elsewhere. This isn't meant to be a blanket statement for all public schools - just some facts from several local schools in my area.
 

RetiredReferee

All-Conference
Aug 27, 2011
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This is precisely the point and the argument the parents are making.

The more times a kid can take a test takes time away from moving on to other challenging material. The teacher has to make new tests and spend time reviewing material again and again. Instead of at the end of semester teaching long division, you have only gotten to 2+2.

Imagine, in football, if the coach kept reviewing a day 1 install over and over again because certain kids weren't spending the time necessary to learn the concepts. Rather than going into the first game with 14 days of install, they go in with 3 days of install. You have limited your chances to succeed and have held back the kids that put the time in to learn the plays. Thus, the higher achieving kids now have a lower ceiling.

I first heard this analogy from Illinois native PJ Fleck and explains a lot of the success he's had.
"We live in a world where 10% of people are high achievers, 80% are average achievers and 10% are low achievers. In football terms, the top 10% are championship level kids that always do what is right with maximum effort. The 80% do just enough to get by and give out average effort. The bottom 10% you don't want in your program. They only care when it's convenient and are about themselves.

The goal of a coach is create and demand a culture that gets as many of the 80% to move into the top 10%. You sent high standards and demand them from your players and the ones that don't buy in fall off. But you get more championship level players and grow the team. To the contrary, when you set low standards, the 80% move into the bottom 10% and even worse, the top 10% get frustrated and leave the program.


This is why parents are frustrated when public schools lower their standards why parents send their kid elsewhere. This isn't meant to be a blanket statement for all public schools - just some facts from several local schools in my area.
Well, first of all, PJ Fleck gets to pick and choose who he recruits into his program. So maybe using the analogy of a college football coach isn't an apt one to use when it comes to teaching high school. I'm not even sure using high school football should be used as an analogy here.

Beyond that, most teachers are constantly reteaching concepts throughout the school year. There are also times before and after school, as well as homework labs, study halls, and resource rooms in a lot of schools where students can retake the tests.

I'd also argue that just moving on and accepting that some students won't understand concepts is a sign of lowered expectations for the schools.
 

colin2229

All-Conference
Jul 23, 2005
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We all know the games are played on the field but looking at them played on paper we could very easily see 7 classes won by private schools!
8A: Loyola (Semi: Marist v Loyola)
7A: Brother Rice (Semi: St Rita v Brother Rice)
6A: ESTL (MIght as well be a private) (Cary-Grove v ESTL)
5A: NAZ (Morris v Naz)...could also see Fenwick
4A: JCA (Rochester v JCA)
3A: IC (IC v Williamsville)
2A: Bishop Mac (BM v St Theresa)
1A: Aurora Christian (AC v ???)
My two cents

1A - Lena Winslow or Foreston 0% chance private school wins
2A - St Theresa or possibly BMAC - 90% chance private wins
3A - IC - 100% chance private wins
4A - JCA - 100% chance private wins
5A - WIDE OPEN (Fenwick, Naz, Morris, Kankakee, Marmion) 60% chance private wins
6A - ESTL - 0% Chance private wins
7A- Batavia, BR, MC, SR, - 70% chance private wins
8A- Loyola - 90% chance private wins
 

colin2229

All-Conference
Jul 23, 2005
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Well, first of all, PJ Fleck gets to pick and choose who he recruits into his program. So maybe using the analogy of a college football coach isn't an apt one to use when it comes to teaching high school. I'm not even sure using high school football should be used as an analogy here.

Beyond that, most teachers are constantly reteaching concepts throughout the school year. There are also times before and after school, as well as homework labs, study halls, and resource rooms in a lot of schools where students can retake the tests.

I'd also argue that just moving on and accepting that some students won't understand concepts is a sign of lowered expectations for the schools.
The point is that when you lower standards, it effects everyone.
 
Jun 29, 2020
309
307
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Could list them? I only come up with 99.
JCA - 14 (Running total 14)
SHG - 5 (19)
PC - 10 (29)
BMac - 5 (34)
MC - 13 (47)
Boylan - 2 (49)
Montini - 6 (55)
Sterling Newman - 6 (61)
Decatur St Theresa - 6 (67)
St Rita - 2 (69)
Loyola - 3 (72)
Bloomington CC - 4 (76)
Woodstock Marian - 4 (80)
Bellville Althoff - 3 (83)
Jacksonville Routt - 1 (84)
Brother Rice - 1 (85)
Immac Conc - 5 (90)
Chicago Heights Marian - 1 (91)
Mundelein Carmel - 1 (92)
Naz - 3 (95)
St Laurence - 1 (96)
Aurora Christian - 2 (98)
St Francis - 1 (99)
Gordon Tech - 1 (100)
Danville Schlaman - 2 (102)
Freeport Aquin - 1 (103)
 
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PowerI66_

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2012
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The point is that when you lower standards, it effects everyone.
Good thing that there are also various course selections and levels in public schools to accommodate the different types of students. Or are you under the impression that it's a one-room schoolhouse type of setup still?
 
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colin2229

All-Conference
Jul 23, 2005
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Well again I'd argue that making students retake tests to hit a specific level is an example of high standards, and that it is you and other parents who are lowering their standards.

But I also believe in aliens, so there ya go.
Agree to dis-agree. All good.
 
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USD24

All-American
May 29, 2001
5,517
5,356
113
JCA - 14 (Running total 14)
SHG - 5 (19)
PC - 10 (29)
BMac - 5 (34)
MC - 13 (47)
Boylan - 2 (49)
Montini - 6 (55)
Sterling Newman - 6 (61)
Decatur St Theresa - 6 (67)
St Rita - 2 (69)
Loyola - 3 (72)
Bloomington CC - 4 (76)
Woodstock Marian - 4 (80)
Bellville Althoff - 3 (83)
Jacksonville Routt - 1 (84)
Brother Rice - 1 (85)
Immac Conc - 5 (90)
Chicago Heights Marian - 1 (91)
Mundelein Carmel - 1 (92)
Naz - 3 (95)
St Laurence - 1 (96)
Aurora Christian - 2 (98)
St Francis - 1 (99)
Gordon Tech - 1 (100)
Danville Schlaman - 2 (102)
Freeport Aquin - 1 (103)
Where's Driscoll? They won 8 titles.
 
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JCHillmen

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Nov 30, 2001
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We can, I think, all agree that students should be proficient in certain math skills before they move up a grade. What difference does it make if they have to take a test 10 times before they show a level of proficiency that allows them to understand the topic?
While students should show proficiency, in grades k-8 almost every district practices social promotion where your skill mastery does not have any impact on advancing to the next grade. That only begins to matter in high schools when you need earned credits.

I have worked in a “retake” school district. The retakes do not get utilized. Maybe 5 percent or less of kids who struggle to even complete their initial work will ever take additional steps to show mastery on a second attempt. Those policies are purely for ivory tower researchers to stick a feather in their cap saying they are offering opportunities to kids that, in actuality, rarely get utilized.

I agree homework is generally not super helpful at the lower levels. Reading and some basic math practice are good. As you get to the secondary level, you better have some regular math practice at night and if I’m taking AP Econ or English, I definitely want a little work to do beyond the limits of the school day to get that 4 or 5 on my test.

now back to football….
 

HRCJR

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Jun 30, 2014
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Well again I'd argue that making students retake tests to hit a specific level is an example of high standards, and that it is you and other parents who are lowering their standards.

But I also believe in aliens, so there ya go.
So if a kid does not pas the first of 4 math tests in quarter, you are saying the kid should get as many chances to retake it as possible. Math is a discipline that builds upon itself. What if it takes him two months to pass? Now how does he catch up? What if he gets a D-? Is that competence. We already have too much grade inflation

Let me tell you a story. When I graduated from LA the grading scales was as follow 70-78, 78-84 C, 85-92 B, 93-100 A. We did not get letter grades, we got the numeric grade. My graduating class had 9 students with an "A" average out of just over 400 boys. We had C students going to Notre Dame, B Students going to Ivy and NESCAC schools, U of C, USC, Georgetown, U of California, Rice etc.

My local has public HS has 2/3 of the students on some kind of Honor Roll. Embarrassing

You do not help someone easing up on grading. Get them help yes, but do not put them is a position of continuing to fail.
 
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SOUTHSIDECFD

Senior
Oct 1, 2009
1,876
767
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JCA - 14 (Running total 14)
SHG - 5 (19)
PC - 10 (29)
BMac - 5 (34)
MC - 13 (47)
Boylan - 2 (49)
Montini - 6 (55)
Sterling Newman - 6 (61)
Decatur St Theresa - 6 (67)
St Rita - 2 (69)
Loyola - 3 (72)
Bloomington CC - 4 (76)
Woodstock Marian - 4 (80)
Bellville Althoff - 3 (83)
Jacksonville Routt - 1 (84)
Brother Rice - 1 (85)
Immac Conc - 5 (90)
Chicago Heights Marian - 1 (91)
Mundelein Carmel - 1 (92)
Naz - 3 (95)
St Laurence - 1 (96)
Aurora Christian - 2 (98)
St Francis - 1 (99)
Gordon Tech - 1 (100)
Danville Schlaman - 2 (102)
Freeport Aquin - 1 (103)
Oh ok.
 

Googertys Dog

Junior
Aug 29, 2019
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Let me tell you a story. When I graduated from LA the grading scales was as follow 70-78, 78-84 C, 85-92 B, 93-100 A. We did not get letter grades, we got the numeric grade. My graduating class had 9 students with an "A" average out of just over 400 boys. We had C students going to Notre Dame, B Students going to Ivy and NESCAC schools, U of C, USC, Georgetown, U of California, Rice etc.
[/QUOTE]
So basically, if you're connected and have some cheese you can go to any college?

Btw, I know I'm some dreg of society since I and my kids go or went to public schools but I can't stand that students get retakes..

Now back to your scheduled programming: How to sound like an Entitled Private School Parent
 

Cross Bones

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Aug 19, 2001
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These LA types are showing their true colors lately. Oddly they didnt teach this one that anecdotes are not data.
 

colin2229

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Jul 23, 2005
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Let me tell you a story. When I graduated from LA the grading scales was as follow 70-78, 78-84 C, 85-92 B, 93-100 A. We did not get letter grades, we got the numeric grade. My graduating class had 9 students with an "A" average out of just over 400 boys. We had C students going to Notre Dame, B Students going to Ivy and NESCAC schools, U of C, USC, Georgetown, U of California, Rice etc.

So basically, if you're connected and have some cheese you can go to any college?

Btw, I know I'm some dreg of society since I and my kids go or went to public schools but I can't stand that students get retakes..

Now back to your scheduled programming: How to sound like an Entitled Private School Parent
[/QUOTE]

You're not factoring in the ACT/SAT. A (B) student with a 31 ACT is different than a (B) student at am 17 ACT.


BTW, you hear they are lobbying for the NCAA to get rid of test scores as part of being eligible for scholarship? Currently you need an 18 ACT to get a scholarship...
 
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Googertys Dog

Junior
Aug 29, 2019
368
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So basically, if you're connected and have some cheese you can go to any college?

Btw, I know I'm some dreg of society since I and my kids go or went to public schools but I can't stand that students get retakes..

Now back to your scheduled programming: How to sound like an Entitled Private School Parent

You're not factoring in the ACT/SAT. A (B) student with a 31 ACT is different than a (B) student at am 17 ACT.


BTW, you hear they are lobbying for the NCAA to get rid of test scores as part of being eligible for scholarship? Currently you need an 18 ACT to get a scholarship...
[/QUOTE]
My kids schools looked at GPA as big factor for athletics.. Anyone can take someone's test:)

Colleges are desperate I guess, ****, if you can get into Notra Dom with a C or a 18 ACT that's seems a little embarrassing don't you think.. Except for the Spaulding's of the world..

I do feel the society is getting dumber..