Grading of children is a topic that is often discussed in several countries all around the world. The controversial point is, if it helps children to grade them in this early age. Proponents and opponents argue about the question if it can motivate children or discourage them. I want to have a brief look on the pros and cons in the following. In general, I think, that grading is a good system to introduce children to our ‘cruel’ world. However, the way of grading has to be reached in a moderate modality, which leads the children step by step to our success-oriented society.
.
.
First of all I want to have a short look on the system in Germany, because it is a little bit different in comparison to Sweden. Since I can remember, grading begins with the start of the school carrier in primary school. In the beginning of the 1990’s when I went to primary school, I was also confronted with the German grading system. In the Federal State Hessen, where I come from, teachers start grading you in first class. Until the end of your second year you get a written report from your form master with hints for you and your parents, concerning what your strengths and weaknesses. After that you get grades in form of a given grading system until the end of primary school. Thereby every children is graded with expressions like fail (ungenügend), which stands for the worst grade, up to very good (sehr gut) which is the best grading. However, one can regard little differences between the 16 Federal States in Germany, because education can be dedicated by themselves and does not subject to supervision of the state.
.
Back to pros and cons concerning this topic it is necessary to mention the problems related to the idea of grading. Firstly, one can argue that bad grades discourage weak schoolboys and schoolgirls more than to motivate them. The principle of reward and punishment more detracts from the fact of learning than support it. Of course, this can lead to big pressure for the children. Especially in the early school years it is important to show them ways how to learn the best and manage the increase of knowledge in general. In addition to that different teachers grade different because of different purposes. If three independently targeted teachers have to grade a child, this can lead to three different grades and the question of justice arises.
.
However, the facts of pros outweigh the cons in my opinion. Thus, grades are the basement of motivation, also in the early years of a child. Especially in their young years one has to motivate and monitor their development in order to guide them on the right track. Concerning this aspect grading is helpful as a performance test and on the other as a performance comparison between lazy and studious children. Especially the system in Germany with personal hints during the first years seems to be a good way to lead children into the world of grading. With first impressions and a good grading, children get satisfied, because they have the requirement of acknowledgement like every older human in our society. These experiences are an incentive for children even to learn things they are not interested in but which they probably need in their later life. This aspect to guide children through their life seems to be very important an can be reached by grading.
.
.
Back to pros and cons concerning this topic it is necessary to mention the problems related to the idea of grading. Firstly, one can argue that bad grades discourage weak schoolboys and schoolgirls more than to motivate them. The principle of reward and punishment more detracts from the fact of learning than support it. Of course, this can lead to big pressure for the children. Especially in the early school years it is important to show them ways how to learn the best and manage the increase of knowledge in general. In addition to that different teachers grade different because of different purposes. If three independently targeted teachers have to grade a child, this can lead to three different grades and the question of justice arises.
.
However, the facts of pros outweigh the cons in my opinion. Thus, grades are the basement of motivation, also in the early years of a child. Especially in their young years one has to motivate and monitor their development in order to guide them on the right track. Concerning this aspect grading is helpful as a performance test and on the other as a performance comparison between lazy and studious children. Especially the system in Germany with personal hints during the first years seems to be a good way to lead children into the world of grading. With first impressions and a good grading, children get satisfied, because they have the requirement of acknowledgement like every older human in our society. These experiences are an incentive for children even to learn things they are not interested in but which they probably need in their later life. This aspect to guide children through their life seems to be very important an can be reached by grading.
.
As I tried to examine in the text above, I think that grading is important in our today’s society. For this matter children have to get used to it very early. Of course it is important not to separate assumed good and bad scholars too early. Examples like children that have to learn languages in kindergarten seem to be the wrong way. Even in our knowledge-based society we have to take care not to overburden our children, but a measured way of grading does not offer this danger.
Thank you for your blog, I like to read your view on this issue, and I agree with most of your points!
AntwortenLöschenAbout your content, I think you have many good points and present them properly. And you also use your own country's education system as an example, it is good to know about Germany's education system too!
About your structure, I think you can have a good organization. Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence, and they guide me through over the whole passage clearly.
About your language, I think you have a good language in writing. But there are still some careless mistakes like "...very important an can be reached..." ("an" should be "and"). I think maybe you need to proofread your writing to avoid these mistakes.
Hej Henrik,
AntwortenLöschenThank you for your text. It was nice to read it.
Well structured, well chosen arguments, adequate language (But read it one more time through before posting. You can avoid careless mistakes and make your text nearly perfect). Nothing more to add.
kind regards
Petr