TED Community » Andrew Hecht

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• TEDCred score: +2.60 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A reply on Conversation: What kind of education reform do we need?

  Mar 31 2012: What do you think- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyMFdlQTLS0

• A comment on Conversation: What kind of education reform do we need?

  Mar 31 2012: Great question Sajid! Here is a slam poem that I wrote that attempts to answer this question. Id love to hear what you think about it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyMFdlQTLS0

• A reply on Conversation: Should public schools in the United States eliminate the traditional A to F grading scale? And if so, what assessment do we replace it with?

  Jan 8 2012: Larry, I think we can both agree that regardless of their economic backgrounds (poor, middle income, high income, etc.) all students have the capability of learning and succeeding. That is without question. But you are severely mistaken if you think a child born into poverty receives an equal education and has an equal opportunity to succeed as their more affluent peers.
  
  I am all for capitalism and meritocratic values. However, it is unfair to expect a sprinter to win a race if he or she is a mile behind and their competition is given a car (solely an analogy). The unfortunate reality is that often low income does in fact equate to poverty of thought as well. Not because children born into poverty are not capable. But because they commonly lack access to good role models, good schools, good computers, and resources that aid in the cognitive development all children need.

• A reply on Conversation: Should public schools in the United States eliminate the traditional A to F grading scale? And if so, what assessment do we replace it with?

  Jan 8 2012: Thank you for your response Debarati! I really enjoyed your perspective. Education should be viewed as a method of spreading new ideas as well. Hopefully, one day we can see this change come to fruition.
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: Should public schools in the United States eliminate the traditional A to F grading scale? And if so, what assessment do we replace it with?

  Jan 7 2012: Larry, if you re-read any of my previous posts you will notice that I never once advocated for the lowering of standards. In fact, I think we should have higher expectations for our students than we currently have.
  
  "Letting students learn without structure, without standards, and without grades, leads to the society of the barnyard."
  
  Larry, I respectfully disagree with this statement. This is the baseless argument many people revert to anytime someone propose structural changes to our education system. I am not promoting a structureless education system without evaluations where kids run wild. I am simply arguing we focus more on LEARNING than judging and evaluating. If you think we should raise standards I'm all for it. However, standards are a waste if all we do is focus on how we will measure those standards and fail to give attention to how we will TEACH those standards.
  
  Maybe its just my perception, but if you listen to the rhetoric surrounding public education, you hear the words TEST, ACCOUNTABILITY, EVALUATION, STANDARDS, and MERIT more than you hear the words TEACHING and LEARNING.
• +4

  A reply on Conversation: Should public schools in the United States eliminate the traditional A to F grading scale? And if so, what assessment do we replace it with?

  Jan 4 2012: Herro, I appreciate your response but I could not disagree with you more. One of the biggest problems in the United States today is that millions of students are classified as "duds" (as you call them). You say that society will always have "stranglers and non-performers." This thinking is inherently at the problem of our education system today.
  
  I contend that ALL CHILDREN, yes I said it, ALL CHILDREN, have the capability to succeed. Unfortunately, often in society- families, schools, communities, etc.- we do not provide children the motivation, resources or capabilities to succeed. We commonly measure student excellence in a box that values only those students who become physicians, lawyers, or military commanders (as you mention). Unfortunately, when we teach the vital subjects (math, science, English, etc.) necessary to create these professionals, we do so in an UNEQUAL manor. It's time we admit to the existence of the million pound gorilla in the U.S.. Children born into poverty or poor neighborhoods have an unequal opportunity to succeed. Instead, these "duds" fall behind in school at a young age and never are given the attention or resources they need to catch up. Rich parents can send their children to tutors or can help them solve problems at home. Children from low socioeconomic backgrounds are not so lucky. A cycle of poverty continues from generation to the next.
  
  I'm not saying that all children were born to be lawyers or doctors (or to go to MIT or Harvard). However, we must recognize that MOST of those so called "duds" were duds because we as a society failed them. Do children have to take some personal responsibility? Absolutely! However, society also has to take responsibility for failing them since 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade and for not providing them fair opportunities to succeed. We also have to take responsibility for not recognizing, valuing, or cultivating their strength or passion, whether it be dancing, singing, poetry, construction, design, etc

• A reply on Conversation: Should public schools in the United States eliminate the traditional A to F grading scale? And if so, what assessment do we replace it with?

  Jan 3 2012: I love your response and totally agree!

• A comment on Conversation: My New Years Resolution is there will be a vote in the United Nations by 9/21/12 to unanimously ratify a global truce. I need your help!

  Jan 1 2012: Hi Michelle, I commend you for your wonderful goal and passion for this cause.
  
  I wish I could give you an answer on how the world can obtain a global truce but I can't. Governments have been "attempting" to reach a truce for thousands of years without any results. If such a truce is to be reached, I think it must start from outside of government and be a global, grass roots movement. So I think you have the right idea with your post. Once this movement is achieved, then I believe governments will begin to listen. Keep your passion alive and have solace in knowing that you are not the only one who dreams of such a day when war and violence is a thing of the past. Keep up your work!
  
  Also, If you don't mind me providing constructive criticism...If you have the capabilities, I think the Peace and Collaborative Development Network website really needs some redesigning. The website is not very user friendly and a little bit convoluted. I think if the website can be redesigned (if the finances or resources are available) it would really help the cause.
  
  All my best,
  
  Andrew

• A reply on Conversation: Should public schools in the United States eliminate the traditional A to F grading scale? And if so, what assessment do we replace it with?

  Dec 31 2011: Hi Christina, that is great to hear. I don't know the specifics of the program but It sounds like a good idea.

• A reply on Conversation: Should public schools in the United States eliminate the traditional A to F grading scale? And if so, what assessment do we replace it with?

  Dec 31 2011: Thanks for your response Derek. You say you want a plus and minus scale now. But trust me Ias a college senior myself) you wont be saying this during college. At most schools, an A is a 4.0 on your GPA where as an A- drops you dramatically to a 3.67. Very few colleges (in fact, none in Florida) use pluses in calculating GPA.
  
  Wait three years, after your GPAs been royally screwed over on multiple occasions by the minus scale and you'll change your opinion. But I remember thinking like you once lol