| Discussion: | Research Area |
| Topic: | upper middle schoolers that haven't yet mastered multiplication facts |
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| Subject: | RE: upper middle schoolers that haven't yet mastered multiplication facts |
| Author: | rabeldin |
| Date: | Jun 7 2005 |
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would lead one to think they had learned some basics but whose performance put
the lie to that conclusion. This deception is a bigger issue than whether Johnny
can multiply 6 times 13. It is an artefact of a grading and promotion system
that has built-in conflicts of interest, opportunities for both deceit by
students and intimidation by teachers.
It is time to forget what the paper credentials say. Every teacher of a
cumulative material like mathematics should have the authority to reject (or
place on probation) students for lack of proper pre-requisites. Admission to a
class on false grounds is a lie that administrations, teachers and students tell
each other and to parents and the community because they haven't the courage to
tell the truth.
A much better system would be that all students are admitted to all classes on
probation. The teacher would then define criteria for removal of that stigma.
Students wouldn't spend a whole term hoping to pass a course by a miracle.
But no, we would rather tell ourselves pretty stories than face the truth.
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