[neutrino]

I'm curious. Suppose - purely for the sake of discussion - that a very capable, highly motivated teacher with high academic standards was hired.

Please suppose also that the teacher then demands a considerable quantity of quality work from the students.

In this hypothetical class, most students would ge assigned a grade of C. Some would receive B's, and a similar number would receve D's. A very few would get A's. And a few would get F's.

Would you, as a parent, support this teacher's practices? Or would you deplore and decry them?

Please note that the students would have an academic record that reflected modest levels of achievement when compared to others who were graded less strictly.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Would you, as a parent, support this teacher's practices?"

I would cheer, and encourage that teacger.

In the real world, the one that teachers are preparing these children for, those who strive to achieve, rise above the rest, those who do not, remain in the pack.

Teach the kids to strive for excellence, not to hide behind mediocrity.

Those few that achieve the "A" grades, worked hard, the others did not.

I don't believe in teaching down to the lowest common point.

[dixie sass]

Any teacher that demanded the best from her students deserves full support. If it mean ten pages of homework as opposed to five, tough, get it done.

[eniapmot]

I hear you.

You have articulated the real problem with American education.