What Are Schools Teaching Our Kids?

I received a letter from my kid's school today informing me they were changing their policy regarding students turning in their homework/class work late or incomplete. Up until now, when students pulled these types of shenanigans, they would either receive a low grade or a zero, which I think is a good way to teach children to be responsible. However, the new policy mandates students must redo homework and class work until it is submitted in a satisfactory manner. Consequences for not doing so would result in the students losing their privileges in extracurricular activites. Although I am usually supportive of school policies and this sounds like a good idea, I really believe the other policy is much more effective. I could sit and detail it to you, but I decided to send the principal my own thoughts regarding this new policy, so here's what I emailed to him today:



Dear Sir:

This email is concerning your letter regarding the new policy standards for student’s homework and class work. Although I do commend the fact that Calera Middle School has decided to raise the bar concerning students' homework and class work, I do feel that the current policy in which students receive a zero/low grade for incomplete or late work is more appropriate in teaching students the consequences of not doing their work in a timely and satisfactory manner.


Although I do understand that there may be some students, as your letter indicates, who are unfazed by receiving zeros or low grades for work, I do believe that the vast majority of them do appreciate the fact that receiving these types of grades does affect their performance in school. I feel the few students who are unconcerned about receiving either low grades or zeros will not change their behavior with this new policy (redoing work until it is completed properly). The attached paperwork states that students who do not complete work properly will be banned from extracurricular activities. There are some students, however, who are not involved in any of these activities, and for those students this punishment will have no effect. Students who are completely unconcerned about their grades in school are not going to be influenced by either policy, in my opinion, and other measures need to be addressed in order to correct students' apathy regarding homework, class work, etc.


According to your letter, this new policy is being implemented so students can produce quality work in a "world of work". However, I feel that permitting students to continually redo work until it is completed properly will give them the erroneous perception that in life they can just do substandard work, and anyone will allow them to "redo" it, over and over until is done properly. Unfortunately, as you know, that is not how the "real world" operates. Students need to be held accountable for doing their work late and improperly by receiving a zero or low grade so that in the future they will take measures to guarantee it is done correctly.


I will sign the aforementioned letter to acknowledge I have read and understand the new procedures; however, I did want to let you know that I do not agree with this new policy.



Can you tell I'm not too happy about all of this? :)
lol



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