I think a transcript and a degree ought to mean something. I tell students
that I use the "Truth-in-Packaging" method of assigning grades. I think the
grade I assign should accurately (as much as I am capable of) reflect the
'knowledge' the student has of the course.
Now, how do we square that with the increased expectations and deands of
society, students, parents, and sometimes administrations, for higher
grades with less work. I have a plan.
I say we give the student a choice of earning the grade or buying the grade.
I figure regular tuition gives the student a chance to earn a grade. But if
he/she is willing to pay double tuition that should guarantee a "C" , triple
tuition should guarantee at least a "B" and anybody willing to pay quadruple
tuition should be guaranteed and "A."
Stay with me now, don't judge my plan without hearing it all. A student
who, for example, paid double tuition could still work in class and earn an
A, B or C, but if the final grade would have been a D or F we will just put
a C on the transcript.
Another important part of this plan is that the college would not tell the
instructor what tuition as paid by the student (so as to bias the
instructor). The instructor would turn in the accurate grade; if this grade
were equal to or higher than the "bought" grade it would be entered onto the
transcript. If it were lover, the bought grade would be entered.
Now, you are probably asking how is this consistent with my "Truth-in-
Packaging" concept. Here is the beauty of my plan. A bought grade would be
followed by an asterisk. So a grade of B* would mean the student bought the
grade, while a grade of B would signify that the grade was earned.
Am explanation of the grades would be posted at the bottom of the
transcript, so anyone reading it could immediatley know which grades were
earned and which were bought.
I figure it's a win-win situation. Instructors could maintain standards,
but any student who flunked would have only himself to blame. (He could have
bought a passing grade.) The administration would be happy because not only
would fewer students fail, but tuition income would increase. Parents
wqould be happy because their child would be guaranteed the degree (and the
GPA) they (the parents and student) desire.
I haven't presented my plan to our administration or Board of Trustees
because I'm afraid they might take me seriously and implement it.
Do you think I need a vacation, or what?
See you in a couple of weeks.
Bret Taylor Lake-Sumter Community College Leesburg FL
"It matters not the subject taught, nor all the books on all the shelves.
What matters more, yes most of all, is what the teachers are themselves."
John Wooden
John 3: 3^3 + 3
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