Posted on 02/17/2014 7:17:43 AM PST by tonyome
It's even more than that. One must CONSISTENTLY work hard. Every assignment gets done completely and accurately and is turned in on time. For every exam and quiz one must be prepared to excel. If the "A"s aren't reserved for students who do this, then the grades become meaningless.
I think that is only true if one then fails to point out that the world is full of very intelligent people and that what leads to success in life is using that intelligence to educate one's self and to make intelligent choices as well as working hard to accomplish worthwhile goals.
I've worked in some pretty rarified atmospheres where you could throw a rock in any direction and hit a super-intelligent person with a doctorate in a hard science or engineering. There was no room in that environment for ignorant slackers. "Be smart and work hard", is the lesson I would impart.
I see nothing inherently wrong with telling a little black boy that he is "smart". His pride in his intelligence and accomplishments at school can overcome the peer pressure to be mediocre. Depending upon his parents, this may or may not be something he hears at home, though his accomplishment to this point would seem to argue for wise parenting.
You are quite correct.
I had the capability, but not, at the time, the drive or incentive to get straight As.
Regretted it ever since, of course. But giving me an A then so I wouldn’t feel bad about it later would not have done me or anyone else any favors.
The only blacks I hear being praised are the “reverends” of politics such as Jesse Jackson.Ignoring accomplishments, of those blacks who work(ed) hard productively within the same system as have whites, is a form of belittling.
Equality in misery.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
Perhaps the journalism school graduates are jealous of “A” students?
&&
Bingo!
I am female baby boomer who could stand to lose a few pounds, but I think it is so unfair that I can’t be a runway model. Where’s my pity from the media?
Doing well in school is important, but there are other important things and swelling a child’s head about any of those things isn’t good.
***
Oh, you are so right.
I don’t think rewarding kids for a job well done is “swelling” their heads. Kids need to be encouraged in their efforts, and as long as it is not overdone there can’t be any harm in it.
Kids know which ones among them are smart, average and slow.
Poll needs freeping:
Should kindergarten attendance be mandatory?
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