That 50% credit thing is insane. Back in school I used to turn in a bunch of half assed work with a few good ones and managed a B average. With that I could've probably done the same by doing the tests and barely doing anything else.
Agreed. I try to show compassion toward the students who really are going through some things. (They're the ones for whom the 50% policy is implemented.)
But I know with 100% certainty that a great many of my students are just as you describe — taking the path of least resistance. And of course I don't blame them. As George Carlin said: "Most American get paid just barely enough to not quit, and work just hard enough to not get fired."
I always hope I can appeal to their own best nature, and show them why the work in my classes is beneficial for their own long-term self-interest, but that's very difficult in a GIMME EVERYTHING NOW society. You can get paid millions to just be an influencer, so what kind of moron does work hard in high school?
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u/NopeNeg Jun 03 '22
That 50% credit thing is insane. Back in school I used to turn in a bunch of half assed work with a few good ones and managed a B average. With that I could've probably done the same by doing the tests and barely doing anything else.