Some of us were raised to believe that reality is inescapable. But that just shows how far behind the times we are. Today, reality is optional. At the very least, it can be postponed.
Kids in school are not learning? Not a problem. Just promote them on to the next grade anyway. Call it "compassion," so as not to hurt their "self-esteem."
Can't meet college admissions standards after they graduate from high school? Denounce those standards as just arbitrary barriers to favor the privileged, and demand that exceptions be made.
Can't do math or science after they are in college? Denounce those courses for their rigidity and insensitivity, and create softer courses that the students can pass to get their degrees.
Once they are out in the real world, people with diplomas and degrees-- but with no real education-- can hit a wall. But by then the day of reckoning has been postponed for 15 or more years. Of course, the reckoning itself can last the rest of their lives.
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2008/12/17/postponing_reality
In our district we do grade recovery. Constantly. The students have learned that deadlines mean little - so when we come up against a real deadline (like the end of a semester) they don't believe it.
And if they only do grade recovery, we are not teaching for mastery and they never learn the material.
1 comment:
Grade recovery teaches students nothing...except how to postpone the inevitable...
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