On the negative effects of grades

Here's an interesting item I found about the relationship between grades and future performance. Think about how many people may have been thwarted in pursuing their talents and dreams because of this type of thing. In my own experience, I was strong in math, but fairly weak in English and certainly not a good writer through for the early part of my life. I went on the write a few books, both fiction and non-fiction, with talents I developed in ways other than traditional school. I'm not saying that grades, per se, are bad and always have negative results, but we really have to consider the weight we place on grades through homework policy. After all, a zero for an assignment not done has 2 1/2 times more of a negative effect than an ordinary failing grade, a 60. This puts a high value on compliance over learning. Anyway, watch this clip. It's very interesting.



Dr. Kenneth Goldberg, is the author of The Homework Trap: How to Save the Sanity of Parents, Teachers, and Students, published by Wyndmoor Press.