EDU Prosetry

                On the first day back at McNair the students were required to attend an assembly in the school’s café. During this assembly the benchmark scores for each grade and PLC were announced. Public praise was given to those PLC groups and classes who held the highest average, read the most books, had the most students at school on a daily basis, best math test scores, etc. However, the scores of the other groups were also shown. When they declined the entire café was asked if this is the right direction, to which all shouted a loud and forceful “NO!”  The teachers were awarded leave early passes and exempt from turning in lesson plan passes for having the winning class.

                This entire assembly left me feeling ill. It creates a community of competition among students and teachers in which good grades become less about greater academic knowledge and more about public praise. What about the classes who have mostly special needs students who try their best but still are behind the rest… should this not be awarded? Or that student who makes all A’s and has to endure public humiliation because her class has the lowest average.

                I believe it is important to bring attention to good work and to show where improvement is needed. But to this type of sports like boasting and belittling I say who wins? Students become motivated by public praise and not intrinsic reward and teachers work to gain bragging rights not better minds. Really? Is this what our students need? I think not!