Another concerning aspect is that i feel that i have a disadvantage for recommendation of a teacher. I feel like the teachers at my school recommend a lot more involved students in school/community activity (like sports) where as i stand out a bit (hold a different religion and positions than the majority of the community).
A person's
feelings are not necessarily accurate or in proportion to any given situation, for a variety of reasons. It is unwise to guess at the motivation or thinking of another; Such conjecture may amount to projecting one's own feelings onto others and may result in discrediting the accuser. When faced with potential disadvantage/bullying/discrimination, one might focus on:
- What someone
said (and the context)
- What someone
did (and the context)
Based on your several posts, there is not strong indication that "disadvantage" exists or is the best path to pursue in this situation. Alleging discrimination quickly escalates your situation beyond advocacy to a legal matter.
I would suggest focusing on and investing energy into areas in which you can work to increase the likelihood of inclusion in the current year's advanced classes and/or future year's advanced classes.
1) To demonstrate your interest in advanced Language Arts THIS YEAR:
- learn the waitlist and/or add/drop policy and timeframe.
2) To demonstrate your interest in advanced Language Arts for FUTURE YEARS:
- work on bringing up your grades. Show that you not only have ability or potential, but also the drive to achieve.
- tell your teacher(s), proactively, that you are interested in obtaining a recommendation/referral for the advanced class(es), and ask their advice.
- take care with your everyday grammar, spelling, diction.
- possibly use the web to find and enter a writing contest or competition. This may provide you with an academic challenge, help you grow your skills independently (whether or not you are in the advanced class), and furnish a piece of writing and/or an outside award that you might use to support your request for a recommendation/referral.
- be aware of all deadlines and due dates.
3) To change the school's policy/practice for selection of students into advanced Language Arts,
it is strongly suggested that you work with a parent, or other in-person adult who can help you research and advocate. One possible approach is to type up a letter to send to each school board member and/or to read/present at a school board meeting:
- include your name, school, grade, date, and bibliography of outside expert resources and articles which you mention and/or attach.
- make a copy of your letter/presentation to hand out to each school board member and a few extra copies (including, possibly, an advance copy for local media so they are aware of what you will present, in the event that media may wish to cover the story).
- learn the rules for presenting at a school board meeting.
- at a school board meeting, read your letter/presentation. This may include:
-- explain to the school board the numbers which indicate that some students who qualify for and are interested in advanced Language Arts are not placed in this class, due to the number of qualified students exceeding the number of seats made available in two sections.
-- explain the academic difficulty which arises for students who qualify for an advanced course and are not placed in this class: underachievement. Include reference to specific quotes from one or more expert articles on underachievement which you select.
-- suggest that the school implement policies for change, to more closely meet student needs. These policy changes might include:
--- serving students with the greatest need for advanced coursework (as indicated by qualifying score) by enrolling students based on highest to lowest qualifying score.
--- cluster grouping students who qualified but did not get enrolled into the advanced course.
--- formalizing the policy/practice for enrollment in advanced courses, and publishing it (online, in student/parent handbook, course catalog, etc... whatever is your local norm) so that all students/families may have opportunity for timely access to the information on qualifying for and enrolling in advanced coursework.
