3.2.1 How might competition be contributing to the puzzling situation?

Competition among individuals or groups is a central part of the culture of many schools in the United States (Goldman & McDermott, 1987; Smith, Gilmore, Goldman, & McDermott, 1993; Varenne & McDermott, 1999). Examples include "grading on the curve," academic games such as spelling bees, arts festivals, band competitions, and sports.

Through a collection of studies conducted over a period of 20 years and theoretical essays, Varenne and McDermott (1999) showed how American schools have institutionalized competitive individualism in schools to the detriment of many students:

At its best, competition allows people to perform at an intense level before winners... take their crowns only long enough to begin the next game. At its worst, competition produces losers who are then pushed out of the game. Academic competition in the United States is competition at its worst. Many are out of the game by the first grade or the fifth or the ninth. Eventually nearly everyone will be found wanting, having to accept the place an evaluator assigned as "their" place. (p. xii)

However, as bad as this may seem, it is even worse because, as Varenne and McDermott (1999) argued, "There is no evidence that it must be this way" (p. xii).

When competition is set up so that some must fail in order for others to succeed, it can contribute to puzzlements about a student's or group's performance or behavior. Individuals or groups with a history of failure may stop trying to succeed, or they may "act out" to gain status or attention in other arenas (D'Amato, 1993).

Success Stories & CIP Studies Related to School Culture

Consider next question: 3.2.2 
Gather information on this question: 4.2.1