The Applications

This week is the week I work on applications for kids to get into the accelerated program at middle school. You would not believe how many emails I've gotten this week. You just wouldn't. It's a pain in the butt because the rules are stricter now and not too many kids get in. District Deciders claim that the program was too watered down when more kids were allowed to take challenging classes, but I know that's not true. Since they tightened up the program, only allowing a measly amount of kids in to the fast track, the middle school is now offering "accelerated" foreign language classes. I think District Deciders think this lame move will calm down all those parents whose kids aren't allowed to take harder classes even though they really want to. How dumb. I have to approve everyone's eligibility for accelerated foreign language classes because I'm their language arts teacher. I'm signing with an OK for everyone. Someone at the compound asked me what criteria I'm using to make my decision. I said, tartly, "Their desire to take an accelerated class is the only criteria I need." The whole thing's annoying.