Experiment A
Observation: The teacher observes that students are dissatisfied with grades on essays. After listening to the student concerns, the teacher recognizes that self-reflection is in order.
Hypothesis: Teacher believes that current grading system is in line with preparing students for English 101 at the colllege level.
Prediction: Teacher will find that current grading system is actually below English 101 level.
Experiment: Teacher provides four Pre-College (grade 12) essays to a university professor for grading. The assignment sheet is also provided. The university professor is asked to score the essays as if each essay was the first essay turned in for English 101.
Results: After one essay, the prediction has come true. The teacher, who graded Essay Sample 1 as a B, received the sample back with a grade of F.
Three essay samples remain to be tested.
posted by Mr. McNamar @ 6:04 PM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
I think every high school student would benefit from sitting in on a college english class for a couple of days. There is nothing like having a professor tell you to your face that you are stupid, and ask if you have ever written an essay before, to give you a bit of perspective. If anything, I think grading standards in high school should be higher than they are currently. Don't go easy on them McNamar, push them hard now and they will thank you once they see how brutal it can be.
Sara,
Thank you for the encouragement--not that it takes much! I absolutely agree with you. A Pre-College field trip should be a part of the curriculum.
By the way, it better not have been you who was questioned. I hope you are well. Keep stopping by, and for cring out loud, get your own blog.
Mom.
Those last two comments made me laugh!
I believe you should be rigorous, but remember to step your level of rigor up as you go. Make them improve. It is one thing to give someone an 'F' in week 12. But, if you gave them a corrective 'C' in week 1 and helped them see where they went wrong, maybe by week 12 they are where they need to be?
Just a couple of thoughts. Listening to your customer (the student) is important. But, being realistic is also important.
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