First Prompt Rough Draft:
Matthew Remavich
Professor Emerson
English 110 H-1
September 4 2018
The fear of failure is the greatest friend you can have. Being scared of failing or not being successful is what pushes individuals to be great. If all schools started adapting to the “No Grades, No Failures” policy students would learn less and possibly retain less knowledge they would if they were tested on their material. Although the negatives are apparent in this system you cannot continue without mentioning the positives. The only goal of the whole system is “to learn the material, sooner or later”(Spencer). This system is more student friendly, for those who are struggling they get more than enough time to practice until they get it. For those who understand the concept they have “the opportunity to swiftly move ahead”(Spencer). Although this gives students freedom to get their work done at their own pace I believe students will not be as honest with themselves. In other words since the students are aware there will be no tests or quizzes they won’t be putting their best foot forward and not giving it their all because there is chance of failure.
Nobody enjoys receiving a failed grade when they get an assignment back. When I receive a failing grade I question myself on what I could of done different to prevent this from happening. When the failed grade is received that’s when the switch is flipped, “most kids don’t put school first on their list”(Sherry) until they fail or realize something is at stake. That is when many adult learners make education a priority, they get a desire for success and develop “a healthy fear of failure”(Sherry). Growing up many students do not understand how important education is in the long run. They learn this through trial and let down, if students do not get grades and are allowed to learn at their own pace they will never value education. The threat of flunking will also prepare these students for the real world. If you are late, do not do your required work or are just not successful with you work you get fired. In the real world there is grades, failures and a lot of hurry. If schools adapt to this new system they will be doing the new generation of students an injustice by not preparing them for what is really out there.
Through my experiences failure has never been a bad thing. During the moment failure will always hurt, it stinks being let down. Failure does not define you, the way you respond to failure is what defines you. Failure should be treated like a wake up call, its telling you what you have been doing is not enough. It means you have to change your ways to better yourself for the upcoming trials. The idea of Mastery Collaborative is good and I think some students could get a lot out of it. No pressure just easy learning at your own pace which proves to be helpful but I believe too many students would take advantage of this system and not perform and their best. Society keeps trying to make things easier for the young and upcoming generation but at the end of the day, failure is what makes people who they are and everyone needs to feel it once in their life.
First Prompt Final:
Matthew Remavich
Professor Emerson
English 110 H-1
4 September 2018
All too often, individuals give up on their dreams to achieve their goals due to their fear of failure. The constant fear of being unsuccessful in one’s life, ignites a fire in some individuals hearts, to do anything in their power to thrive. Often times, the fear of failure drives individuals to persevere through difficult times, whilst others refuse to reach for their goals out of fear of not being successful. For children and young adults, it is apparent that you should be motivated to acquire good grades. In today’s society, exceptional grades help get you into a college, in turn, helping you decide your future career. The excerpt, A New Kind of Classroom: No Grades, No Failure, No Hurry, by Kyle Spencer, depicts a new program that challenges students and teachers to think about their academic accomplishments. Like many other schools, this program eliminates failing with the one goal of, “learning the material, sooner or later” (Spencer). Unfortunately, this program does not challenge or motivate students to do their best. Although the standards-based grading allows students who grasp the concepts easier to move ahead, it levels the playing field. The students become comfortable with knowing that they cannot fail, so they put minimum effort into their school work. For those who understand the concept they have “the opportunity to swiftly move ahead” (Spencer). Although this gives students freedom to get their work done at their own pace, I believe students will not be as honest with themselves. For a hardworking student, who cares about their future, it is devastating when they receive a failing grade. My high school having standard -based grading did not stop me from trying my hardest. I would constantly strive for better grades because I found fulfillment in learning and understand the criteria. In the excerpt, In Praise of The F-Word, Mary Sherry delves into the idea that students will not try unless they feel as though something is at stake. When a student receives a failing grade, that it when the switch is flipped. Sherry states, “most kids don’t put school first on their list,” (Sherry) until they fail or realize there are consequences for not trying. That is when many adult learners make education a priority. It strikes a desire for success and develops, “a healthy fear of failure” (Sherry). Growing up, many students do not understand how important education is in the long run. They learn this through trial and error. If students do not achieve good grades and are allowed to learn at their own pace they will never value education. The threat of failing will also prepare these students for the real world. If you are late, or do not complete your required work, you will not be successful. If schools adapt to this new system they will be doing the new generation of students an injustice by not preparing them.
Through my experiences failure has never been a bad thing. Failure does not define you, the way you respond to failure is what defines you. Failure should be treated as a wakeup call, it is telling you what you have been doing is not enough. It means you have to change your ways to better yourself for the upcoming trials. Although The Mastery Collaborative is beneficial to some, it is proven that too many students would take advantage of this system and not their best. Society continues to make things easier for the young and upcoming generation. But at the end of the day, failure is what helps individuals learn, grow and serve the world
