<p>I’m a senior in college and this topic is asked in the form of a question because I’m not trying to SPAM the messageboard with my opinion rather than open an actual discussion.</p>
<p>It’s occured to me throughout my college career how completely asinine not only the grading system is, but how stupid the SATs, HEPAs, GEPAs AP exams, and all the other stupid tests and systems, GPAs, class ranks, and other completely ridiculous ******** is that pollutes our education system and is part of the reason why our system is so god awful. I remember thinking in high school how completely unimportant it was that I was ranked 74th in a class of 300, part of the reason being that I took unweighted courses or something. What does this **** have to do with learning? </p>
<p>And what’s worse, it makes certain kids feel stupid or useless. I remember thinking “So now number 7 is way smarter than me, but at least I’m better tham 124???” What kind of judgemental ******** is this?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this carries over to college. People still care about “Easy As” instead of “challenging yourself to think”. Seniors still care about their GPAs for some twisted reason. Teachers want to give lots of busy work and want you to spit things out at them, though I do have to agree with one of their problems: the kids aren’t even paying attention, and they actually have to test and trick them TO pay attention. Even worse- professors who want to deviate from anything normal are either harassed or fired. I only know a few teachers who realized how stupid the system was. </p>
<p>I remember talking to this one teacher- young guy, who I learned more from than most of my other teachers- I remember telling him how this one requirement he had for his class (a bunch of listening exercises, which I actually did) could EASILY be faked and the other students could just lie to him about it. He simply said “Yeah, and? So let them. You guys aren’t doing these things for me- I’m still getting paid. You’re supposed to be doing them for yourselves.” So true. When have we lost sight of this?</p>
<p>I say, abolish grades. I stopped caring about grades as long as it doesn’t lead to me failing (which it won’t, since I actually try) or losing money or whatever. I got a C in a math class and- I DIDN’T EXPLODE! I tried my best, not great at math, learned a few things. I don’t regret that C and I’m sort of proud to have it. I’M HUMAN, AHHHHH!</p>
<p>There should be a Pass/Fail for everything, based on “you didn’t actually give a ****” or “wow, you really engaged things and formed your own thoughts and conclusions”. Yes, this includes Math. For the anal, we can have a little personal score sheet.</p>
<p>Now, full disclosure- yes, I’ve thought about things like being a Doctor or knowing the Law for lawyers. I’m not against some exams with a sort of PASS, FAIL, or OK. But the point is, there are ways to tell if you know what you’re talking about or if you’re just some robot with the answers. There’s no C- in surgery. There’s bad surgery, good surgery, and dead people on a table. Filling in bubbles doesn’t equate to thinking like a REAL person. That’s why med students have to intern at hospitals and do pro bono work. </p>
<p>We’re spitting out robots, still, and it’s nuts. There are free thinkers, artists, doctors, scholars, critics, mathematicians, scientists who change the world and break silly barrier after silly barrier. I don’t believe any of this has to do with a ****ing 1600 on the SATs.</p>