A Lazy A
Suzanne E. Fry writes “Some students feel that success is owed to them; after all, they did not spend thousand of dollars a year not to yield results”(Fry 10). In her article, she brings out her view that relaxing grades or the lower performance needed to achieve good grades, cause the quality of education to suffer and teaches student they don 't need to work hard to succeed are completely valid; it is seen in the way student pick classes today and their time spent studying.
Suzanne E. Fry in the article, Grade Inflation argues that the inflation of grades going on in higher education is harmful to all involved. Fry points out that when A’s are easier to achieve students are taught that they don 't need to work hard. She shows that …show more content…
Suzanne Fry writes how some students “pick and choose classes cafeteria-style based on course evaluations and select those where success seems guaranteed” (Fry 10). This is true, and it brings up a problem in the educational system. Namely, what is its purpose? Many people view the purpose of education is to learn, others think it is to become a critical thinker, and still others see it as a way of getting a diploma or degree. When I sign up for classes the professors’ names are given to me, and I can then go online and find the average grade that he or she gives. Then I have to make a decision. I can take a class with a challenging teacher where I will without a doubt learn and grow in my skills, but if I do that, I will risk damaging my GPA or even not passing the class. That would waste my time and money. On the other hand, I can pick a teacher that on average gives out A’s. I would learn less and not be challenged, but I would be closer to my degree, and with a high GPA it might be easier to get a job. With that in mind, it is little wonder why student opted for the latter. They chose the option that will help them get the job, but not the option that will help them do the job …show more content…
In 1966 nineteen percent of students had A-average or above, but in 2009 that percentage was already up to forty-eight (Twenge 416). With such a huge jump in the amount of A’s being given out it would be expected that students are studying more, but this is not the case. In 1966 forty-seven percent of people were studying six hours plus a week, and in 2006 that dropped down to thirty-five percent of people. It is common knowledge that students that study more learn more than students who study less. Because of grade inflation, students today don 't have to study as much as in the past. Therefore, today 's students are learning less, getting less out of their education, and are less prepared for the profession that they get into. William Cole a literature instructor at Harvard University stated, "Most teachers seem to have forgotten the motivational power of a low grade" (Cole B3). Grades can do a lot more than just motivate students, but this is true. The option of failure is a motivator, and it encourages students to work hard. When students work hard for their success in school not only do they learn more about their profession but they learn a valuable life lesson that to succeed they must
Suzanne E. Fry writes “Some students feel that success is owed to them; after all, they did not spend thousand of dollars a year not to yield results”(Fry 10). In her article, she brings out her view that relaxing grades or the lower performance needed to achieve good grades, cause the quality of education to suffer and teaches student they don 't need to work hard to succeed are completely valid; it is seen in the way student pick classes today and their time spent studying.
Suzanne E. Fry in the article, Grade Inflation argues that the inflation of grades going on in higher education is harmful to all involved. Fry points out that when A’s are easier to achieve students are taught that they don 't need to work hard. She shows that …show more content…
Suzanne Fry writes how some students “pick and choose classes cafeteria-style based on course evaluations and select those where success seems guaranteed” (Fry 10). This is true, and it brings up a problem in the educational system. Namely, what is its purpose? Many people view the purpose of education is to learn, others think it is to become a critical thinker, and still others see it as a way of getting a diploma or degree. When I sign up for classes the professors’ names are given to me, and I can then go online and find the average grade that he or she gives. Then I have to make a decision. I can take a class with a challenging teacher where I will without a doubt learn and grow in my skills, but if I do that, I will risk damaging my GPA or even not passing the class. That would waste my time and money. On the other hand, I can pick a teacher that on average gives out A’s. I would learn less and not be challenged, but I would be closer to my degree, and with a high GPA it might be easier to get a job. With that in mind, it is little wonder why student opted for the latter. They chose the option that will help them get the job, but not the option that will help them do the job …show more content…
In 1966 nineteen percent of students had A-average or above, but in 2009 that percentage was already up to forty-eight (Twenge 416). With such a huge jump in the amount of A’s being given out it would be expected that students are studying more, but this is not the case. In 1966 forty-seven percent of people were studying six hours plus a week, and in 2006 that dropped down to thirty-five percent of people. It is common knowledge that students that study more learn more than students who study less. Because of grade inflation, students today don 't have to study as much as in the past. Therefore, today 's students are learning less, getting less out of their education, and are less prepared for the profession that they get into. William Cole a literature instructor at Harvard University stated, "Most teachers seem to have forgotten the motivational power of a low grade" (Cole B3). Grades can do a lot more than just motivate students, but this is true. The option of failure is a motivator, and it encourages students to work hard. When students work hard for their success in school not only do they learn more about their profession but they learn a valuable life lesson that to succeed they must