(click on the title to see the New York Times Education article)
"Student Expectations Seen as Causing Grade Disputes"
A de-emphasis on grades helps learners, parents, teachers and society focus on effort and learning which are the true goals of education.
Well-intentioned parents can unintentionally discourage students from furthering their studies in Math and Science as technical courses tend not to be easy As (or even hard As). In engineering school, many professors distribute the grades as follows: 10% A, 20%B, 40%C, 20% D, 10%F. Getting used to the possibility of a C is an important life lesson that speaks of effort and learning.
2 comments:
Many undergraduates claim they "try" but then admit, upon being questioned, that they neither read the assigned works, studied, took notes, or paid attention in class.
"Trying" is often code for "I showed up and did something half-assed."
There can be no success without demonstrating mastery after "trying."
Effort is expected, not rewarded in and of itself.
Or are we all paid do do Kindergarten-level work as adults?
Thank you for your feedback especially the word "try". At any age, the reward of hard work is the work itself -- people who work hard know that they put forth effort.
It would be terrific to have less emphasis on "trying" and more emphasis on "doing".
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