<p>The high school the cut sports had only 282 students.</p>
<p>Given that a football team probably costs the same no matter what size the high school is, the cost is likely a much bigger part of the overall budget in a small school than in a large school. The small school also needs a greater percentage of students to be on the football team (perhaps 20% of the students at a 282 student school), which may lead to more academic compromises than at a large school.</p>
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<p>I don’t know whether it is more discouraging that this is true, or that many parents don’t realize that it’s true. Yes, our standardized tests put every child in the same pool, although a child qualifies for special ed by testing two grade levels behind. Our state school system is heading towards teacher evaluations based on testing outcomes, and nobody can tell me what that will do to those of us who work in special ed.</p>
<p>My personal insight, after 17 years as a public high school teacher (and having been a regular ed, gifted, and special ed teacher), is pretty unexciting: the kids (and teachers) who work the hardest do the best.</p>