Hi Kid: Are Forced Equal Outcomes Defensible?

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT…
Is a Goal of Equal Outcomes Defensible?

Not long ago, we observed a group of Poudre School District elementary school kids playing outside with their PE class.  It was a bright, sunny day and the kids were energetic and happy, eager to follow their teacher’s fun game.  The kids were told they were going to run a short race across the grass and they all eagerly lined up, adrenaline flowing, ready to dash to the finish line.  As the race was about to begin, the PSD PE teacher added a curious twist.  He told the kids that instead of running as fast as they could to try to WIN the race, the kids’ goal was to get the whole class to finish the race together. At the same time.  The kids looked around at each other, clearly confused by their new goal, but before they were able to think about it too much, their teacher gave the “Ready! Set! Go!” command and they were off.  The kids immediately charged away, with the faster kids quickly out front and others lagging a bit behind.  When the kids in the lead got to the halfway mark, their teacher shouted at them a reminder that they were supposed to all finish the race at the same time.  After that direction, the mood and pace of the race shifted.  The kids who were leading the race slowed nearly to a halt and looked back over their shoulders to the kids who were behind.  Once the kids perceived they were in an even line, they slowly made their way to the finish, and ended as a wobbly line of more confused and less energetic then they had been at the start of their race.

The goal of the race was an equal outcome for all students.

We wonder if equal outcomes for all students are what our community truly wants for our children? Is this silly third grade PE class story just a one-off scenario, or is it indicative of a larger philosophical commitment at PSD? We were curious.

We discovered that PSD summarizes its commitment to equity by stating: