Lowering Standards
At times I find myself wanting to lower my standards so students can pass a class a not get discouraged. However, I always bring myself back to the the responsibility I have to to the reputation of my school, and my responsibility to those students that have degrees from the school (i.e., to make sure their degrees remain valuable and legitimate). Do others have this problem? If so, how do they handle the situation?
Agreed, Adonis. Students know when standards are being compromised and generally in the long run, realize that they are the ones being short changed. They also begin to question your motives and integrity.
Honestly, this is typically not a problem I encounter. I am a firm believer that life does not adapt or lower standards for you. I feel that lowering standards would set the student up for future failure in life.
There should be a clearly articulated and commonly administered policy for make-up work and/or extra credit work that is understood by everyone involved.
Sometimes administration in directly seemingly wants you to lower your standards by offering constant make up work or extra credit work for students that are some what undeserving, and that should not become the standard or else the student will fail to thrive.
Thanks , now it's time to proactively adhere to these standards. Meaning we have to raise our own standards. I'm working at it , it's not an event but an adventure. Best of luck everyone.
Well put, Thomas. Integrity is the foundation for our future.
Not always , I've had many students who did not want to be held back and had to "mentor". They tell me this takes time away from their learning because now they're teaching. I would prefer to pair students who have a different skill set that would compliment each other , rather than striclty academics.
There will always be students that score higher than others. Thats the way it should be. How would an employer evaluate a student when all receive close to the same grades. Previous experience , dedication , work ethic , etc... come into play. It's not fair to the ones that work harder and study to have the standards degraded for others that do not put in the same amount of time. As the famous saying goes " we privide an equality of education , not an equality of results ". It's our job to lift up the underperformers , not bring down the performers.
I would never lower standards. To do this only diminishes the value of their education. Instead of lowereing the standards speak with the student and ask them how he/she learns best and adapt your delivery for that student. This may require a little extra work on your part but the results are worth it. This may mean spending a little extra time after class, offering additional reading materials, or offering a little more hands-on assistance during class when students are individually working on projects. In the end helping your students to understand the material is the ultimate goal. And if they get what your teaching they'll see value in their education, which directly corelates to retention.
no educator should ever consider lowering her or the school's standards. I have found that a "buddy system" for struggling students is very effective whereby I pair a strong and struggling student during their lab/clinicals and it has a positive effect on both students.
Are your students receptive to peer mentoring? Have you been able to demonstrate the effectiveness of mentoring?
I have found this to be a problem and i have suggested peer tutoring within the class; especially in the first year classes. I do not lower my standards, just implement diferent teaching styles to aid in different learning styles.
It's not really lowering your standards as much as it is finding a new way to connect with a person on an indivual basis. Having different levels of understanding for different students makes it easier to make sure that the student is learning what you are teaching. Since we all comprehend things in different ways. It I more like we are contouring our class to each individual.
I so agree....I have seen too many time programs that lower standards to simply push a student through, that is not doing them any justice at all.
I agree 100%, we must never lower our standards.
This is a great assessment of the question! Being flexible to a degree, but not doing them a disservice by lowering standards. Not a good idea in the long run!
The challenge is how to provide sufficient support to allow students to master the subject. The integrity of the program cannot be compromised.
i however dont believe that retention on the student behalf should be a problem. As a teacher i focus on students who struggles, and guide the ones that completely understand. I dont believe in favorites but for my advanced students i ask to help others who are struggling for they may know a easier way to communicate with a fellow peer. By the end of class we review as a whole so in that case the student should just have the commitment to show to class as we move along as a whole with current objectives
Trevor,
You make an excellent point about making sure that students who legitimately earn degrees are not damaged by passing students who do not meet the qualifications. Most of the time we focus on at risk students, but the slippery slope of dumbing-down hurts the good students most. Students who graduate without competency will eventually fade away, but the good students will be lumped into the same category with them. As much as we may want to help students succeed, the reputation and credibility of the institution is a long term goal that should not be compromised by short-term quick fixes.
