Dublin Core
Title
"1831* - topic: grades
.
I’ve been keeping up with the raging discussion on this page surrounding how ...
.
I’ve been keeping up with the raging discussion on this page surrounding how ...
Publisher
Dear Blueno
Date
March 28, 2020
Format
PNG
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
"1831* - topic: grades
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I’ve been keeping up with the raging discussion on this page surrounding how to handle grade options for this semester given the extenuating circumstances created by COVID-19, and I’ve been disappointed to see that no one else has come up with the obvious solution. There’s been much focus on mandatory S/NC, universal pass, and optional S/NC, but I would like to add a new idea into the mix: mandatory letter grades.
In essence, ALL classes would be returned to letter grades, even classes that students chose to S/NC at the beginning of the semester. Additionally, traditionally mandatory S/NC classes such as VISA 0100 would be changed to give letter grades as well (because, unlike what the coddling rhetoric of art teachers would have you believe, talent matters and good art is not subjective). I would also propose that each class be curved such that only the top 4% of students receive an A.
In our day and age, the value of an A has been lost, causing students who should not be getting A’s to receive them and thus devaluing those of us who truly earn them. Some students are not even interested in working for A’s, claiming that “C’s get degrees.” Unfortunately, you’ll notice that only students with C’s voice this tired adage. They have forgotten that “A’s amaze and warrant praise.” Additionally, harsh curving would hopefully help to rectify the issue of Brown’s student body being largely non-competitive by incentivizing a cutthroat approach to learning.
In this trying time where everyone’s learning ability has been affected, it is integral that we seize the opportunity to refocus this university’s students towards what really matters. Please sign my petition for the University to implement a mandatory letter grades policy by commenting your IQ in the comments below."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I’ve been keeping up with the raging discussion on this page surrounding how to handle grade options for this semester given the extenuating circumstances created by COVID-19, and I’ve been disappointed to see that no one else has come up with the obvious solution. There’s been much focus on mandatory S/NC, universal pass, and optional S/NC, but I would like to add a new idea into the mix: mandatory letter grades.
In essence, ALL classes would be returned to letter grades, even classes that students chose to S/NC at the beginning of the semester. Additionally, traditionally mandatory S/NC classes such as VISA 0100 would be changed to give letter grades as well (because, unlike what the coddling rhetoric of art teachers would have you believe, talent matters and good art is not subjective). I would also propose that each class be curved such that only the top 4% of students receive an A.
In our day and age, the value of an A has been lost, causing students who should not be getting A’s to receive them and thus devaluing those of us who truly earn them. Some students are not even interested in working for A’s, claiming that “C’s get degrees.” Unfortunately, you’ll notice that only students with C’s voice this tired adage. They have forgotten that “A’s amaze and warrant praise.” Additionally, harsh curving would hopefully help to rectify the issue of Brown’s student body being largely non-competitive by incentivizing a cutthroat approach to learning.
In this trying time where everyone’s learning ability has been affected, it is integral that we seize the opportunity to refocus this university’s students towards what really matters. Please sign my petition for the University to implement a mandatory letter grades policy by commenting your IQ in the comments below."
Comments