- Now, There’s Even Grade Inflation

Written by Ann Shibler

Wednesday, 04 June 2008 11:55

American school children already having a tough time with math are now going to be graded with a new system that equates zero with 50.

School officials in several states are either proposing or have already implemented the new “minimum score of 50.” A non-passing grade of 50, an “F,” will go no lower than 50, in order not to hurt the little darlings’ self-esteem apparently.

A proponent of the innovative change, Douglas Reeves of the Leadership and Learning Center out of Colorado, says that the tweaking of the grading system will “encourage student performance.” Sally Feinberg from Lehn Middle School in Port Byron, New York, says the point of the new system is, “motivation and to give kids the opportunity to pass a grade.”

But students are always given an opportunity to pass a grade, and teachers seriously encourage student performance, as poor performances reflect the talent and dedication of said teachers. So what does this all really teach them?

Well it just might nurture laziness and lack of commitment toward studies and ultimately life. It doesn’t prepare them for the real working world; it’s a handout, just like welfare. But it certainly doesn’t leave any child behind; all will be given a falsified notion of their ranking, a disservice to all school kids.

Example: If a student had 100 assignments, completed 50 of them with scores ranging from 90 to 95 percent, and didn't complete the other 50, he would still have a passing grade of 71 percent.

That is grade inflation. It keeps the playing field level, rewards those who don’t work, and punishes those who do. Just like the welfare state.