NP/NP only hurt those that passed in my experience. We had a high failure rate and inevitably, the kids who did the work suffered at UIL because of the empty seats. And when the failing kid can sit in the stands of a pep rally but not stand and perform it's pointless. NP/NP should be keeping those in class that need it the most but it doesn't.

While some can stand on the nobility of "holding kids accountable" UIL is meant to be an evaluation not a competition. How do you fairly evaluate an incomplete ensemble. At the point you tie my pay and my professional advancement to the whim of the history or science department we have an issue in my opinion.

I'm all for high standards and maybe if you are someplace where 99% of the kids pass have at it. But for many inner-city schools and small programs they can't afford those empty seats on stage. And honestly, the morale and success of the programs goes up when EVERYONE goes to contest. And ultimately, that benefits all of us.