Aug 7 2011: There is no question that eliminating competition in the education system is both unlikely and probably unwise. But I see no reason that more deeply involved teachers who emphasize "learning for life" or "learning for the sake of learning" or whatever would put students at a disadvantage in any kind of market. Students who develop the drive and self-motivation to pursue an interest beyond the bare minimum seem to perform better than those who seek only high grades.
I think that such a "separation of powers" would be unwise as more involved teachers can help make up for poor parenting (just as good parenting can help to mitigate poor teaching). An overlap of such duties in this case might seem inefficient but could serve as a social safety net for some communities.
Aug 5 2011: I'm not arguing that we need to compete. I'm saying that we DO compete, not just our society or our education system but ALL societies... It is very difficult to find any examples of a competition-less community.
Narrative mandatory feedback seems like a great idea, but in the end all grading is subjective regardless of form. Letter grades are for the most part an attempt to standardize this subjectivity. If you take that out then companies, colleges, graduate schools, and other institutions will have no "objective" means to select candidates. Of course there are many things that letter grades do NOT capture well if at all, and for these factors detailed qualitative descriptions would be ideal.
Letter grades may miss out many important human qualities that need to be accounted for, but they seem to be a decent measure of a certain set of skills. I feel like there is a need for both kinds of evaluation in our education system.
Obviously this doesn't consider the practicality of writing descriptions for every student especially in schools with packed classes and overburdened teachers. However I do agree that competition, natural though it is, is overemphasized and can distract students from the "joy" of learning.
Aug 4 2011: Why should putting more emphasis on the intrinsic value of learning make someone less competitive? I agree that doing away with grades entirely is not the right choice, but being so focused on competition is not any better. Aren't the leaders of our economy the people who have learned to tap their inner desire to learn more about something?
Aug 4 2011: Doesnt narrative feedback have the same potential to be subjective and arbitrary as well?
Also how would you compare the achievement of students from different schools or even just different classes? Would not a letter grade plus justifying narrative feedback be more effective?
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A comment on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?
A reply on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?
I think that such a "separation of powers" would be unwise as more involved teachers can help make up for poor parenting (just as good parenting can help to mitigate poor teaching). An overlap of such duties in this case might seem inefficient but could serve as a social safety net for some communities.
A reply on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?
Narrative mandatory feedback seems like a great idea, but in the end all grading is subjective regardless of form. Letter grades are for the most part an attempt to standardize this subjectivity. If you take that out then companies, colleges, graduate schools, and other institutions will have no "objective" means to select candidates. Of course there are many things that letter grades do NOT capture well if at all, and for these factors detailed qualitative descriptions would be ideal.
Letter grades may miss out many important human qualities that need to be accounted for, but they seem to be a decent measure of a certain set of skills. I feel like there is a need for both kinds of evaluation in our education system.
Obviously this doesn't consider the practicality of writing descriptions for every student especially in schools with packed classes and overburdened teachers. However I do agree that competition, natural though it is, is overemphasized and can distract students from the "joy" of learning.
A reply on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?
edit: Haha well your description describes my educational experience pretty well.... I'm not complaining though
A reply on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?
A comment on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?
Also how would you compare the achievement of students from different schools or even just different classes? Would not a letter grade plus justifying narrative feedback be more effective?