Point-Based American Grading System Analysis

The points-based (point-based) American grading system teaches students to value grades over knowledge and undermines learning and creativity. From the very first day of school in Kindergarten, every student in the United States has their skills and achievements measured for at least the next thirteen years of their lives. These measurements will, for the most part, stay with them forever, and will ultimately guide the outcome of their lives. That is an immense amount of pressure to put on schoolchildren that are not even sure of themselves yet, let alone their entire future. While this system has been around for hundreds of years, has anyone ever stopped to wonder why these numbers matter so much? Or what these numbers could be doing to those who just do not "measure up"? When pupils begin to value grades over knowledge, they will do whatever they have to do in order to receive an exceptional grade. Instead of grades, educators should give meaningful and stimulating feedback. When teachers make their students ' grades public to everyone else in the class, it can be embarrassing for those who may be struggling. One-on-one discussions can build trust between the teachers and pupils, making them more comfortable and confident in asking for assistance. This can also help students understand what they still need to learn …show more content…
It stifles learning and creativity, while also teaching students to value grades and test scores over actual knowledge that could be gained from schooling. Learning stops being fun when students are not given the opportunity to apply and enjoy it. Once the passion for knowledge is gone, hope is lost. These flaws are ingrained into American society, and not everyone will see the issues at all. Until they do, nothing will change, and students will continue to base their (his or her) intelligence on a number-based system put into place hundreds of years