Does Anyone Else See A Trend Of Marginalizing Success In School?

2018-06-09T10:10:17-04:00

I have seen, in Canada, Administrators fire a teacher for giving Zeros or 'F' to High School Students (that policy was reversed but that teacher did not get his job back). I read that some schools do not give out trophies for the success of, let's say, the top 3 students, and give everybody trophies. Now, I read that in North Carolina they are ditching the Latin system of honoring the top student or top 5% of students.

I was wondering if this is just an isolated situation or is this the new normal? I was not the fastest cross-country runner in High School. I earned Most-Improved in Cross Country my junior year. I earned Most-improved in Cross Country at my Community College 3 years later. I was inspired. I sometimes attained a 3rd place in a running event. I was inspired. When I was the slowest runner in my 8th-grade track team running dead last EVERY SINGLE TIME in the 660-yard run, I earned or was given the 'most inspirational' award. I felt embarrassed but I did not get traumatized, start smoking or got hooked on drugs nor did I drop out of school or get permanently traumatized like some would think to get an award like that. I got inspired to do better and 2 years later I was running 3 miles in under 16 1/2 minutes. I am so upset about the trend to get away from awards. I have a personal stake in this. What do you think, Rallypoint?

https://www.wral.com/dad-buys-digital-billboard-space-to-honor-valedictorian-son/17606805/

Here is a story of a proud Father whose Son was Valedictorian in his High School yet the School is abandoning the practice of honoring the best students. Is this social justice thought process rewarding mediocrity? I was never a Valedictorian but I was proud to be on the Honor roll. What harm is there to honor the best? Why does it all have to be equal? Equal means Mediocre? Is this Socialism?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member Maj Marty Hogan COL Private RallyPoint Member COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Steve Mannell Sgt Steven Thomas Cynthia Croft SPC Margaret Higgins SFC Private RallyPoint Member @
SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas @

Dad buys digital billboard space to honor valedictorian son :: WRAL.com

A North Carolina man has bought digital billboard space to honor his son's academic achievements because he says the high school won't recognize him as valedictorian under a new system.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2018 10:30 AM

2018-06-09T10:30:17-04:00

While I can neither confirm nor deny that my supervising principals have had me change grades so that everyone has at least a 50, I will say that I go out of my way to only give A=mastery of the content and it’s related concepts, B=understanding of the content and concepts, C=knowledge of the content but no understanding of concepts therein, D=familiarity with the content, F=failure to even have basic knowledge of content. The students with the highest grades in each class, I go to find some tangible reward to give them, in front of their peers.
And yes, I fight the indoctrination as best I can.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 9 at 2018 10:42 AM

2018-06-09T10:42:24-04:00

Your view, to my way of thinking, is totally correct, I've observed it constantly, a gradual dumbing down of curricular content, and a tendency toward being overly solicitous and euphemistic about failure...in that sense, I entirely agree with you, if you'd care for me to elaborate, I'd gladly do so, certainly, esp in any intellectually serious topic...I've noticed a distinct trend toward minimizing homework, and a tendency of kids to not drill properly, for a requisitely needed period on scientific topics...curricula can't be taught online, they can't be taught using computers, at least not to minds not get properly intelleftualpy disciplined, so in tat sense, as well as IH literature, economics, sociology, psychology, and history, I quite agree with you, by all means....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 9 at 2018 11:16 AM

2018-06-09T11:16:40-04:00

I saw the references to NC you'd !mentioned, I similarly agree with you that such nonsense is patently absurd, certainly....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2018 11:38 AM

2018-06-09T11:38:58-04:00

I have preached about choices and consequences forever, my son said I should write a book on it... I believe that we as human beings make choices and should be held accountable for those choices. One can choose to study in school or not, but there are consequences, if one studies they are or should be rewarded with better grades, if they don't the consequence is or should be reflected with a lower score. From my observations, too many people today have not been held accountable for their choices. IMO, this starts at home at an early age.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-06-09T12:45:59-04:00

It all started in 1971-72. The singlemost devasting, judicial mandate every issued from a court of law. Look it up.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 9 at 2018 4:53 PM

2018-06-09T16:53:59-04:00

I am a firm believer in sports as you strive to win and accept a humble defeat. You try your hardest and sweat profusely in the endeavor of being the best you can be.