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The Grading Scale

Magnvs I said:
Oh, my apologies! I didn't mean to wait for so long. How quickly things happen. Anyway, yes, those were my grades at the time, and I am in tenth (sophomore) grade. Truth be told, it wasn't the end of the world and I evened it out eventually. But I was still angry at the fact that I was failing for over four weeks, and the end of the semester was near. Fortunately, there were a bunch of others who were failing (due to low test grades), so the teacher had no choice but to give a "redemption test." Of course, this wasn't until ONE WEEK before semester grades. I can understand Kelzie's point (responsibility is a virtue in school), but I found it amusing that one tiny slip-up could land me an F and almost destroy my good report card.

Of course, people learn from their mistakes. From that whole experience, I realized how inaccurate grades really are. In time, I then realized that our "Top 20" students were not really geniuses, but just a bunch of average kids who do all the busywork.

I believe someone was arguing that the grading system is necessary, and I'd agree to an extent. I think that without the grades, students would get apathetic. But the way things are now, students aren't even learning. Balance is what we need. When something becomes mechanical and routine, it eventually loses its meaning. So, in schools, grades and standards have undermined the actual purpose of it all -- to gain knowledge for the sake of knowledge and share a productive and educational experience with others.

I may be overexaggerating a bit, but when kids are regularly comparing school to prison, I'd say there's a problem.
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Kids who compare school to prison are weak, pathetic, and stupid. There's no problem, some kids just have trouble with education.

Also, invalid comparison, these kids have never been to prison, so no accurate comparison can be made.

What were your end grades?

If you get an F, something is wrong.
 
Synch said:
Unless you're teacher is obviously racist against you and is of different ethnicity, then if your teacher doesn't like you, it's your fault.

If you think the teacher is not doing his job correctly, you can file a formal complaint to the superintendent.

If you're liked well by your peers and adults, then why does those in power of you just the opposite?

I have poor peer skills but I am great with adults because I am more on their maturity level.

Kelzie am I losing my eyesite or did your avatar get bigger?
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Yeah I dunno. I tried to change my sig and accidently did my avatar. I probably replaced it with the wrong photo. You gonna be okay? ;)
 
Kelzie said:
Respect for authority is something that everyone learns at some point.
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Mmm almighty Kelzie, where did you draw this conclusion that I have no respect for authority? Because I respect anyone until they lose my respect. And what if the superintendant won't do anything? What do I do then? What could be my problem if you think it lies with me? I do everything I'm told to do, I answer every single question, I participate frequently, and most importantly, I like to learn. What am I doing wrong? Oh, and racism the only form of bigotry? You must live in an almost perfect world Synch. And I work well with both students (usually) and adults (always). There is one exception though, as previously stated you can lose my respect. And why do you guys like grades so much? Were you 4.0s that had the admiration of everyone?

Of course, people learn from their mistakes. From that whole experience, I realized how inaccurate grades really are. In time, I then realized that our "Top 20" students were not really geniuses, but just a bunch of average kids who do all the busywork.
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This is mostly accurate, although for me the top 20 students are also complete cheaters for the most part. Its terrible to watch.
 
A Sophist said:
Mmm almighty Kelzie, where did you draw this conclusion that I have no respect for authority? Because I respect anyone until they lose my respect. And what if the superintendant won't do anything? What do I do then? What could be my problem if you think it lies with me? I do everything I'm told to do, I answer every single question, I participate frequently, and most importantly, I like to learn. What am I doing wrong? Oh, and racism the only form of bigotry? You must live in an almost perfect world Synch. And I work well with both students (usually) and adults (always). There is one exception though, as previously stated you can lose my respect. And why do you guys like grades so much? Were you 4.0s that had the admiration of everyone?



This is mostly accurate, although for me the top 20 students are also complete cheaters for the most part. Its terrible to watch.
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Just a hunch. Most people that blame authority for their problems have difficulty with authority. And I work hard for my 4.0. Why shouldn't I be proud of it?

The almighty huh? I think I've found my new title. Thanks. ;)
 
I have a problem with authority only when they abridge my rights :P
 
A Sophist said:
I have a problem with authority only when they abridge my rights :P
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Sugar, I got news for you. If you aren't 18 you don't have many rights.
 
Thanks for bringing that up. Why dont I have more rights? Why cant I vote? Why do you deserve more rights than me?
 
You are a minor.

And what rights do you want anyway...to be liked? If you want the grade, you will get it...I still find it extremely hard to believe that there are strange teachers out there that "hate" you for no reason. It is rare to find any person that hates you for no reason. Teachers, even the bad ones or the spiteful ones generally give credit where credit is due. There are other factors that I hope you have considered...one of those is attitude.

Nothing is owed to you and it still sounds like you have a persecution complex.
 
A Sophist said:
Thanks for bringing that up. Why dont I have more rights? Why cant I vote? Why do you deserve more rights than me?
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So you think a 6 year-old should vote? I'm guessing you don't. There's a level of maturity that is necessary to be a citizen. Are many people mature enough before they're 18? I'm sure. They had to make the cut-off somewhere.
 
BodiSatva said:
You are a minor.

And what rights do you want anyway...to be liked? If you want the grade, you will get it...I still find it extremely hard to believe that there are strange teachers out there that "hate" you for no reason. It is rare to find any person that hates you for no reason. Teachers, even the bad ones or the spiteful ones generally give credit where credit is due. There are other factors that I hope you have considered...one of those is attitude.

Nothing is owed to you and it still sounds like you have a persecution complex.
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I didnt mean there was no reason. I meant that none was apparent. And my attitude towards schooling has been changed by these repeating occurances. And why do I not deserve credit? I do my work. Actually, I do more than my required work. Im the person that sits on forums like these all day long, or searches wikipedia for knowledge. Why is it that the place where I am supposed to learn teaches me nothing but how to spite?
 
A Sophist said:
I didnt mean there was no reason. I meant that none was apparent. And my attitude towards schooling has been changed by these repeating occurances. And why do I not deserve credit? I do my work. Actually, I do more than my required work. Im the person that sits on forums like these all day long, or searches wikipedia for knowledge. Why is it that the place where I am supposed to learn teaches me nothing but how to spite?
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School does not teach you how to spite. You have to learn that on your own.
 
I suppose you are right, school has just been feeding the fire. But anyways, if the 6 year old was mature enough and knew enough about life I would let him/her vote. But it pains me so to watch uneducated people over 18 voting while I sit back here waiting my extra few years.
 
A Sophist said:
I suppose you are right, school has just been feeding the fire. But anyways, if the 6 year old was mature enough and knew enough about life I would let him/her vote. But it pains me so to watch uneducated people over 18 voting while I sit back here waiting my extra few years.
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It is impractical to say the least for a nation the size of the US to test people to see when they're able to vote.
 
I understand that, but why the age of 18 anyways? (I understand that it is impossible logistics wise, but I am perturbed that I cannot direct my nation)
 
A Sophist said:
I understand that, but why the age of 18 anyways? (I understand that it is impossible logistics wise, but I am perturbed that I cannot direct my nation)
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Ha, join the club. It's a completely subjective age. Used to be 21 if it makes you feel better.
 
Kelzie I don't see the impracticability of testing people whether they should vote or not, I am sure I am far more informed than the average voter. Why should we give rights based on age but not knowledge?

If a 6 year old was mature and knowledgable enough to vote, then let him/her vote, although the chances of that are billions to one.

A political test should be implemented in high school combined with economic/social issues so certain students that should be able to vote will be able to vote.
 
Synch said:
Kelzie I don't see the impracticability of testing people whether they should vote or not, I am sure I am far more informed than the average voter. Why should we give rights based on age but not knowledge?

If a 6 year old was mature and knowledgable enough to vote, then let him/her vote, although the chances of that are billions to one.

A political test should be implemented in high school combined with economic/social issues so certain students that should be able to vote will be able to vote.
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Something I have had many arguments with my TAs about. I think I've come to terms with it. Testing before being able to vote is not democracy. It is used as a way to keep people from voting. Who are we to say that a person who is not intelligent should not have a voice on their future? And who makes these tests? What questions do they ask? Besides the added cost of these tests it is not something that belongs in any true democracy.
 
Kelzie said:
Something I have had many arguments with my TAs about. I think I've come to terms with it. Testing before being able to vote is not democracy. It is used as a way to keep people from voting. Who are we to say that a person who is not intelligent should not have a voice on their future? And who makes these tests? What questions do they ask? Besides the added cost of these tests it is not something that belongs in any true democracy.
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I do not mean for it to be mandatory for people to vote, but specifically for people under the age of 18, if they pass they will be granted previleges for those of the legal age.

There will be no sufferage test for those over 18 of course, but only for those under 18 if they desire powers they do not currently have.

I wish I could vote in the 2006 elections. :(
 
Synch said:
I do not mean for it to be mandatory for people to vote, but specifically for people under the age of 18, if they pass they will be granted previleges for those of the legal age.

There will be no sufferage test for those over 18 of course, but only for those under 18 if they desire powers they do not currently have.

I wish I could vote in the 2006 elections. :(
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Because it's too complicated and it takes too much effort considering the alternative. Which is a very simple black and white 18 or not hurdle to jump over to vote. Is it fair? Probably not. It's practical though.
 
Kelzie said:
Because it's too complicated and it takes too much effort considering the alternative. Which is a very simple black and white 18 or not hurdle to jump over to vote. Is it fair? Probably not. It's practical though.
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So it's agreed upon that the current system is not fair, so shouldn't we make it more fair? Isn't that what we are striving to do?

How is it not practical? The tests can be volunteery entirely.

We need to tap all our resources in the pursuit of utopia, we may never get there, but the closer the better.
 
The current system is fair...

By using the testing method, why would it not be just as fair to omit people that took the test and displayed that they are not intelligent enough to ever be able to attain the ability to understand the issues. They should be denied the vote? Yes. Either way, in order to achieve a balance, it will be unfair to those that are left out.

Also, many that are under 18 are intelligent enough, but they do not yet have the ability to make rational choices simply due to their age...not all, but most...just cognitive development.

That is not to say that there are not other ways though...
 
"Why is it that the place where I am supposed to learn teaches me nothing but how to spite?"

Perhaps you are addressing and learning the wrong lessons that are being presented to you at this stage of your life.
 
This is a bit off topic, but I have to go back to school tomorrow (return from Spring Break.) I can go get me some more edumacation.

Question: Does anyone here believe that the "No Child Left Behind" act is working (effectively)? I've noticed that a lot of my teachers are forced to slow down and help those kids that might "get left behind" in the material. The only problem is, the "to be left behind" kids don't care about the material or getting left behind. So a lot of my teachers hate it, a lot of the students hate it, and I really haven't seen any benefits from it (other than lots of gratuitous testing, if that's a benefit).
 
Magnvs I said:
This is a bit off topic, but I have to go back to school tomorrow (return from Spring Break.) I can go get me some more edumacation.

Question: Does anyone here believe that the "No Child Left Behind" act is working (effectively)? I've noticed that a lot of my teachers are forced to slow down and help those kids that might "get left behind" in the material. The only problem is, the "to be left behind" kids don't care about the material or getting left behind. So a lot of my teachers hate it, a lot of the students hate it, and I really haven't seen any benefits from it (other than lots of gratuitous testing, if that's a benefit).
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The no child left behind act is a failing, it's artificially putting a learning cap, and contrains the more intelligent children while it unnecessarily push the retards.
 
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