Why can't we admit that some kids are just stupid?

[The Comrade]

thank you em

[Ben Huh]

Bro, essay exams are the stupidest things ever. You can easily bullshit your way out of most essay assignments. America needs to cut out this kitty bullshit, prepare kids for competition from day 1. Not only should all subjects be pass fail, but they should be on a strictly enforced curve. None of this everyone get's an A shit. Your value and skill is only relative to the bastard next to you, and you gotta beat him not just on this exam, but in LIFE.

I'm sorry you Mod Edit - p want to shield little Jonny from this sad reality of life, but the kids who figure it out and adapt to it end up with the best educational and professional outcomes.

[Bill_in_Bethlehem]

[Bill_in_Bethlehem]

[Bill_in_Bethlehem]

[Hyperion]

Students fail for thousands of different reasons. Some are lazy with their study habits; others don't show their work; others have learning disabilities; still others have a horrendous schedule or home-life. I once taught a brilliant young lady who could master virtually any subject put before her, but she had serious issues with her parents and eventually started to delve into hard drugs like heroin without remorse. She showed up to school only a few days in the semester, most likely to catch up with her friends and favorite teachers before vanishing. I haven't seen her in months.

As others have said, not hurting a student's feelings is important. Public education is entrusted with turning out literate, intelligent, and confident young adults. That doesn't mean you can't get on someone's arse for being lazy, but not being sensitive to someone with a learning disability only hinders their future development. Most people aren't dumb. They just haven't been taught how to think, care, or both.

Grades are sometimes crap indicators. Yes, they have some relevancy, but I've met plenty of students who just 'learn' how to come off as intelligent instead of applying that knowledge. For example, in physics I often catch my 'smart' kids off-guard on a chapter test by having them discuss the subject of rotational motion conceptually. Lo and behold, they are skilled at memorizing the steps and equations, but can't apply their knowledge. A lot of my lower performance students actually start correcting the 'smart' kids. It's actually a humbling experience for a lot of these kids.

[Dennis]

[Spider]

I've always thought of grades as an indicator of effort, not intelligence. Any halfwit can pull good grades if he tries hard enough.

[Clarino]

Over the years I've gradually come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as a stupid child.

Stupiditiy is something which develops if an unwillingness to learn is indulged. People become more intelligent the more they learn, whether or not they succeed in the examination process. People who get it into their head that learning isn't for them for whatever reason tend to seem stupid.

It's not a fully developed idea, but that's the germ of it.

[OGPhilly]