In this episode of "The Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations"...
There's an old adage that goes something like this:
"When you lower the mountain for the kids, don't be shocked when they can't climb anything at all." The wise admonition highlights the importance of allowing children to face challenges and develop resilience. By making things too easy, we prevent kids from developing the necessary skills and character traits to overcome obstacles later in life.
In other words, the core message is that providing constant support and removing challenges can actually hinder a child's ability to climb their own mountains in the future.
Now, let's get even more real:
When you lower the mountain for some kids because you don't believe they have the ability to climb as high as other kids, you're guilty of supporting the soft bigotry of low expectations, or even worse: "the soft racism of lower expectations."
Case in point:
San Francisco's public high schools will implement a sweeping change to their grading system this fall, replacing traditional methods of grading that will allow students to pass with scores as low as 41 percent.
The insane initiative is part of an even more insane broader "Grading for Equity" push that is causing concern among educators, students, and parents over lower academic standards and their likely impact on college readiness.
I'd only add: "... and overall readiness to compete in life, including in jobs that don't require college degrees."
Here's more, as reported by Newsweek (emphasis, mine):
Similar policies across other Bay Area districts—such as Dublin, Oakland and Pleasanton—have seen mixed results and strong community reactions. Dublin Unified attempted a pilot of equity grading in 2023, which included removing zeros for missed assignments and awarding a minimum of 50 percent for any "reasonably attempted" work.
That pilot, however, was met with outrage and resistance. Parents created petitions, formed WhatsApp groups and filled school board meetings to protest what they saw as a lowering of standards for their children. The Dublin school board eventually suspended the initiative, though individual teachers were still allowed to use the methods at their discretion.
Imagine for a nanosecond graduating from high school, entering the workforce, and expecting your employer not to care if you missed work, and even if you "tried your best" but failed, to still pay you.
Now imagine the above on a statewide or nationwide level, and ask yourself: How long would such a state or country survive, much less thrive, under such ridiculous realities?
According to Newsweek, Superintendent Maria Su's plan in San Francisco was not subject to a public vote by the Board of Education, drawing criticism for its lack of clarity. Ya think?
It gets worse.
The new policy — impacting over 10,000 students at 14 high schools — will dramatically alter the way academic achievement is evaluated. Under the policy, homework and class participation will no longer count toward final grades. Instead, students’ grades will be based mainly on a final exam, which they will be allowed to retake multiple times.
Additionally, attendance and punctuality will have no bearing on students’ academic records.
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The insane plan was initially disclosed in the fine print of a 25-page agenda and brought to light by The Voice of San Francisco, a local nonprofit news outlet.
According to their report, the district has hired educational consultant Joe Feldman — author of "Grading for Equity" — to provide teacher training this summer.
Feldman wrote in a 2019 blog post for the School Superintendents Association (AASA):
If our grading practices don't change, the achievement and opportunity gaps will remain for our most vulnerable students. If we are truly dedicated to equity, we have to stop avoiding the sensitive issue of grading and embrace it.
Wait, huh?
If our grading practices don't change? Seriously? How about "if our teaching practices don't change," fool?
Moreover, if you are "truly dedicated to equity" — whoever you are and whatever the color of your skin is, you're ultimately going to fail. And I'm talking about in life — not just in the classroom.
Meanwhile, San Francisco parents, go find a higher mountain and teach your kids to climb it.
The Bottom Line
So-called "grading for equity" clearly de-emphasizes or even eliminates the importance of timely performance, completion of assignments, and consistent attendance. These are not only elements essential for students to be college and career-ready when they graduate; they're also essential elements for a successful life.
Editor's Note: President Trump is fighting to dismantle the Department of Education and ensure America's kids get the education they deserve.
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