Be aware that in a way you are defeating your own argument. Can't argue, "It is an evaluation of the complete program/how our kids are learning/etc," if you also say, "...some kids who can't play their parts...19 kids that I WOULD take to UIL."

That would be like the math teacher saying she won't let the kids failing her class take the math STAAR.

"We need all of the kids (except the ones I don't want to take)" is not a winning position.