Or they could work on policies that reward significant improvement throughout the year. A rough start can be just that. Mandating that everything is at least 50%, even when a student gets a 0%, is a terrible idea.
Really, I have no problem with a "lousy start" policy of some sort, but to guarantee 50% while other students are giving and earning 100% annoys me to no end. How about simply this, guarantee that all quizzes and tests can be made up after hours (before/after class) that were taken in the first half of the semester for a maximum score of 80% of the total points awarded (gotta at least give a small late bloomer penalty)? Higher of the 2 scores will apply. Thoughts there?
Cool, now if I'm really good in that subject (math comes to mind), I can just skip the entire first half of each semester and still get a B in the class!
Cool, now if I'm really good in that subject (math comes to mind), I can just skip the entire first half of each semester and still get a B in the class!
Um, if you're that good at math, why would you settle for a B, and why wouldn't you deserve at least that high of a grade anyway, in recognition of your talent?
Huh? I don't know about your country, but in Poland nobody actually cares if you got your degree with an A or barely got it. All that matters is if it's there, and from what university it is.
Here in the US Grades are important fro scholarships, intern opportunities, and how high up the ladder you can start your first job at. So good high school grades (age 13-17 give or take) can get you into college, and possible a scholarship. College 18-22 and beyond! It can get you a better job. Or course having good social skills help as well.
In a country where it is become very expensive to even attend a local college, this stuff matters.
We're talking about High School here (years 9-12 in the US). Good grades are needed to get into a good college (grades 13-16), but once you graduate college no one is going to give a hoot what your grades were in High School, and only look at your grades in colleges. To go further and get a Masters/PhD, then your ungraduate grades don't matter, etc.
Disobedience: The silver lining to the cloud of servitude.
-- Ambrose Bierce
Or more reasonable policies (Score:5, Insightful)
Or they could work on policies that reward significant improvement throughout the year. A rough start can be just that. Mandating that everything is at least 50%, even when a student gets a 0%, is a terrible idea.
Re: (Score:5, Interesting)
Re: (Score:4, Insightful)
Cool, now if I'm really good in that subject (math comes to mind), I can just skip the entire first half of each semester and still get a B in the class!
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Um, if you're that good at math, why would you settle for a B, and why wouldn't you deserve at least that high of a grade anyway, in recognition of your talent?
Re:Or more reasonable policies (Score:3, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
Here in the US Grades are important fro scholarships, intern opportunities, and how high up the ladder you can start your first job at.
So good high school grades (age 13-17 give or take) can get you into college, and possible a scholarship.
College 18-22 and beyond! It can get you a better job. Or course having good social skills help as well.
In a country where it is become very expensive to even attend a local college, this stuff matters.
Re: (Score:2)
We're talking about High School here (years 9-12 in the US). Good grades are needed to get into a good college (grades 13-16), but once you graduate college no one is going to give a hoot what your grades were in High School, and only look at your grades in colleges. To go further and get a Masters/PhD, then your ungraduate grades don't matter, etc.