Fragments From Floyd

I've handed in my final grades to the registrar. In the end, the "curve" was flat, with about equal numbers of scores in each grade rank. After "curving". And so my students did okay this semester, grade-wise. Or did they?

If you set the standards of expectations for a course at a level that, based on your experience, reflects average competencies for an average student, I've argued that should be the firm level of the bar. I told my class as much when they expressed their shock at the poor class performance after the first test. "It's not fair to you to lower my standards when those standards come from the real world you will face with your education in four years."

Have I violated my own principles by artificially inflating the grades so that a third of these first-semester freshmen non-majors wouldn't flunk my class? I can argue both sides of this conundrum. And did. And eventually "scaled" the outcome. I had my reasons, but I'm not entirely comfortable with the decision.

Have I devalued the worth of "excellence" in some way similar to the "awards" post above that cheapens the word "freedom?" Have I invalidated the award of grades "above average" by lowering the average to bring an artificial success to the many?

There is no solace in the fact that performance below standards was universal across the dozen sections and half dozen teachers for this same course.

I do know that the equation will be different next term with my Anatomy and Physiology class.

They are not dumbfounded freshmen. They have chosen their healthcare related professional paths and should have some sense of the importance of this class to their ultimate future. And their ignorance of the subject matter (especially for the nursing students) can literally have deadly consequences.

I know where to set the bar. It is almost certain to be fixed regardless of performance. I will do my very best to bring them all up to my real-world expectations. It is not likely to be an easy task.