[jiyingx]

Hi everyone
I'm writing an article for my school newspaper (in the Opinion section), and I need some ideas and help from you guys.
Here is the main question:
Do you think grades are too emphasized in schools? (This might apply more to students in the United States, but I think it is quite common around the world).

Please think about these:
1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower).
2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school).
3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples?
4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view).
5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges?

Okay.. so anything you guys can say would be GREAT. I just need some brainstorming (and of course, I WILL NOT steal ideas/plagiarize/whatever).
If you guys can give me some personal observations and what not, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Once I write out my rough draft (which might be around next week or so), I will post it up here so you guys can give feedback and critique it.

Thanks!!

[aval-zo]

Do you think grades are too emphasized in schools? (This might apply more to students in the United States, but I think it is quite common around the world).

I think that...I'm quite neutral on this, because of many conditions (good teachers, bad teachers). But overall, i do think grades are emphasized in school. You get a good grade, hey you're pretty smart. You don't...gosh you need more academic help. (there are pros and cons to this though)

I never had a grade lower than a B, so my parents never had to bribed or reward me. My sister did...and err..no....she wasn't bribed or reward. My brother on the other hand, yes, but that's a diff. story. (he's a boy...a male) My parents will like us (me and sibs) to get good grades... so yes apparently I have to do GOOOOOODD in school.

I'm a undergraduate student, so I chosed my classes by interest and how it'll help be toward my major. In HS, I was part of the Internatioal Bacc. program, so basically my classes were already chosen for me. But Why did I choose to participate in it? Because I like to challenge.

SAT?? oh no...here in my city....it is ACT that teachers pressure us to prepare for and take. it is all about the ACT!!! But I took the SAT....and was probably the only one in my whole graduating class.... one of my teacher was like...."why did you take the SAT? Didn't you took the ACT?" Well, I took both..just wanted to compare myself with the rest of the world, that's all.

Yes, I am academically competitive, but ironically, procrastination is my dearest friend and laziness is my "homie".

hope that help.. any Q. pm me.

[maharu.]

1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower).

ohh my mom did that to me for summer school. she wanted me to really really pass algebra 2 b so shes like "if you pass, korean bbq for you!" and yes, i passed lol.
And my mom does get upset with me having a C or lower, she'll start ridiculing me for it. lol my dad's childish, he starts calling me names because I got a C or lower.
but thats the only things that ever happens to me.

2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school).

Well right now, I have no honors and APs, but when i had honors, i chose it because my counselor put me in it. My mom made me take the AP test and she was planning to make me retake it if I didn't get a 5...but I do so...yah?

3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples?

SAT, it's good to have a nice solid score because it shows how much you're ready. And SAT prep classes may benefit them later, considering that they'll learn material that some may have not learned.
And I'm not forced for this. I just straight on took the SAT and got a pretty bad score. Barely higher than half of the total of 2400. My dad thought it was still 1600 so he thought i was good. but he figured out and got upset

4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view).

n/a.

5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges?

I just do what i want to do...my parents are laid back now because my brother already is at a university, so they are letting me chose my own options. I'm more into the 'go with the flow', soo i dont feel pressured.


lol i dont know if my answers were helpful.

[Clix]

Do you think grades are too emphasized in schools? (This might apply more to students in the United States, but I think it is quite common around the world).

Not quite. Grades don't reflect only how smart you are. It reflects your work. You can be the smartest person the world and fail every single class cause you don't feel like working. Straight A students aren't just smart, they're hard workers. People complain about not being smart and making bad grades, if they just put some effort into it, they wouldn't have to worry.

Please think about these:
1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower).

No, my parents never bribed me. My sister has but not my parents. I almost got kicked out of the house for almost failing freshmen year.

2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school).

I chose to go to an automotive vocational school cause it'll teach me most about what I need to know. It'll help prepare me for my job and it get free credit hours for attending. I'm trying to cut down my college costs because I have no scholarships. I never took a single honor or AP class in high school. Looking back on it a little, I should of taken AP. If I had, I would have been 75% with college before even getting on campus.

3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples?

I think it's a great idea. Higher SAT scores will get you into better colleges or a wider range of colleges. There are no drawbacks in taking the SAT. Being prepared is great. I was never forced into any ACT/SAT prep classes.

4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view).

Not at all, like I said earlier, grades reflect on how hard a person works. If I had kids that worked hard, I would lenient on what grade they made. If they work hard, that's fine.

5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges?

Mmm, no. I have my future planned, college including. I'm more worried about making achievements that'll make me stand out from the rest.

[hyeminnie]

I don't think grades are stressed too much in schools. I believe it's a personal matter. Last year, I didn't want to take AP World History, but I really wanted to challenge myself and I heard that the teacher is really hard. When it comes to harder level classes, I always try to go for an honors class or higher. For example, I am a junior in high school and I've only taken honors english because i really don't want to take regular and my schedule is too much for another GT class. Also, I suck at science, but I'm taking Chem GT which my friends told me was really hard to pass, but I took the class anyways and I have to push myself that much harder to get an A. Also, I'm taking German 3 honors instead of regular even though I'm already in the Language Honor Society. Even though I'm challenging myself, I know my limits. I could have taken pre calc, but I'm kinda rusty in math, so I'm taking trig.

When I get good grades, my mom pays me like $20, but it's not really a motivation. My brother doesn't exactly get the best grades, so he doesn't want to go to a university, so my mom tells me to work hard in school so I can have a bright future.

As for tests, I try my best and I don't compare myself to one of my friends because, well, they're a whole lot smarter than I am. I have my own minimum level of acceptance and I try to score higher each times, so the bar gets raised constantly.

The whole 'doing well in school' is for my personal betterment and kinda to make my mom happy.

[DaAzNkIgGa627]

Do you think grades are too emphasized in schools? (This might apply more to students in the United States, but I think it is quite common around the world).


Yes... too many people tend to be greedy with grades. It's not what they learn or what they can apply, it's what grade they can get to please mommy and daddy... I think it's really wrong... to be honest in a perfect world there would be no grades, but obviously the world will never be even remotely near this.

Please think about these:
1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower).

My parents expect good grades... although they let me be autonomous so it's all good. I have never brought home a bad grade (besides in art..... XD) but if I did... well I'd get a 50 minute lecture about Korea.... XD
2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school).
I take all honors classes because I really want to get into a top notch college.
3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples?
I feel like if I study the way I'm doing, I should do fine. I'm never going to take an SAT prep class because I can't learn that way. I learn much better when I am giving some freedom and am trusted. But I cannot say I'm above the pressure, I do study on my own, and sometimes quite intensely because of my own greed of wanting to get into a very top notch school
4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view). Yes, but I'm a student XD
5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges?

I am one of those kids that thrives in competition. I love competition, I live to win, and I want to be the best. But I never feel pressured, to be frank, it gives me an adrenaline rush to win and to compete. This is not just for school though, I hate to lose.

[boda]

1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower).
of course they have.... when i was in the fourth grade they said that i would be able to get my ears pierced if i got straight A's and then in the eighth grade, they said they will get me a stereo if i got all A's but all in all yes they did bribe me but what parent didnt

2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school).
when i was in high school, i chose classes to make my dad happy but when i got to my senior year, i chose some of my classes because i didnt realli want to think during that year....

3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples?
sometimes, esp if you had sisters that did well on the SATs

4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view).
NA
5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges?
of course....

[katteriinka]

1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower).
My parents have never tried to bribe me. They expect the best of me so when I do get a good grade, they congratulate me and that's mostly it. I guess they don't wanna spoil me or something with material things. I know what my parents reactions are to bad grades because I have brought home bad grades. They get really REALLY mad and they give me the silent treatment or something.
2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school).
The classes that I had the opportunity to choose was to help me with SAT's and college stuff.
3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples?
Well you do want to get into a good college, so I think SAT prep is good and it'll keep you motivated to study harder.
4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view).
If I was an adult, I think that certain schools emphasize grade schools waaaay too much. Like if you get a bad grade on a test, then like people will assume you're stupid. Yea.. I hope that makes sense.
5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges?
Nahhh. I'm not a competitive person. As long as I get into the school I like, then I'm fine.

[kirstie_s]

Do you think grades are too emphasized in schools? (This might apply more to students in the United States, but I think it is quite common around the world).

*no. not really. i believe its not emphasized enough. cause grades are super important-maybee not everything, but the greatest. it gets you into college which will help you later on in your life in jobs/carreers and such. i didnt realize how important it really was til today. i mean, the top schools-UC's and such. theres ALOT of competition out there. ie. at ucberkely--more than half of their students that got in had a gpa of 4.0 and above. there were many few with 3.0-3.5 or soemthing like that.<< and thats considered a good grade in school. but college and high school are different. in college a 3.0-3.5 is considered like the lowest bunch

Please think about these:
1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower).

they used to, back in like elementary school. but it wasnt really bribing. but i was always a straight a student so i didnt have to work any harder..so it was more of a reward then something i had to earn. bad grades, they dont really care. i mean they're dissappointed and all but they dont do anything.

2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school).

to get into a good college. im currently taking two ap classes. and probably gonna take another foreign language class at a junior college next semester.

3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples?

well..theres always the act haha. but good for them i guess. they want a better score which equals to a better future.

4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view).

n/a

5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges?

YES. very. aiming for 4.0+ this year. but more of pressure to get into a good college so therefore pressure to do well which is in turn competing with others. haha if that makes sense

[SOCKBUNNY]

Do you think grades are too emphasized in schools? (This might apply more to students in the United States, but I think it is quite common around the world).

why shouldn't it be emphasized? you go to school to get an education. even though some people love to say "grades aren't everything" but grades are something to keep track of how well you're doing on obtaining that education. they're a huge deal and from personal experience, people who have said they aren't everything are usually those with bad grades. if we weren't being graded, what's the use of working? for fun? too many people at my school go there just to socialize. I'd hate to see if the emphasis on grades is ever reduced.

1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower).

no bribes or rewards for good grades. my dad will start nagging at A- so a C would be considered horrible.

2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school).

for the credits I need to graduate. for the credits colleges are looking for. I'm taking mostly honors and AP to get more out of my classes, regular classes annoys and bores me.

3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples?

even if I'm not forced to score high, I'd still want to score high. it's a competition and I want to do well.

4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view).

n/a

5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges?

sure. but I focus more on doing well myself than focusing on beating someone else. and if being accepted by colleges isn't a competition then I wouldn't work so hard.

[chobit145]

Main Question:
Do you think grades are too emphasized in schools? (This might apply more to students in the United States, but I think it is quite common around the world).
*No, I don't think grades are too emphasized in schools. I actually think they're under-emphasized in many areas. Schools just aren't strict like they were back in the days.

1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower).
*They Used to bribe me money. clothes, games but that was when I was in elementary school and the first year of 5th grade ._. And I haven't brought in a grade lower than a C for awhile, but they always threaten me that if I do, they'll kick me out the house [not literally though]

2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school).
*Since I'm a freshman, my high school doesn't give much freedom on classes till 10th grade. But the class that they let freshman's choose will be the language class and I chose Mandarin because my parents wanted me to take it, and because I wanted to ^^.

3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples?
*Well people who take SAT prep classes I guess want to be a step ahead of the game. And I'm not "forced" to take SAT Prep classes yet. My parents are being nice to me for freshman year since they know I'm still adjusting to a new school with new surroundings, but in the future, yes I will most likely to be "forced" to take SAT prep classes by my parents and by the school.

4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view).
*n/a

5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges?
*Yes, but with the high school entrance exams. I was forced to take extra math classes by my parents because they wanted me to get high math scores on the test. And when the test results came out I did a pretty good job scoring in the upper 90's on both Reading and math because of the extra lessons my parents made me go to. But when I found out not all my friends did as good as me, I felt pretty guilty because I thought "one less of a competitor" for me to get into the high school of my choice >_< Parents make there kids think about this, and it makes the child feel really guilty.

[x kisekiboshi]

Do you think grades are too emphasized in schools? (This might apply more to students in the United States, but I think it is quite common around the world).

I think it is if you take courses like IB, AP, or Honors. Because I see a lot of people (myself included) stress out if we get C's and B's on our papers or homework. But a lot of the times, a grade of an A can mean nothing if you have no idea what you're learning.

Please think about these:
1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower).

No, my parents have not rewarded me. They do tell me how proud they are of me and how I should keep up the good work. When I bring home a C, my parents are upset, but they tell to try harder. But if I get anything lower, they tell me again to try harder but they try to limit my time from distractions like the computer.

2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school).

Hmm, that's a good question. Haha. I really don't know? I guess because my parents, especially my dad pushed me. He told me to succeed you need to compete with other students and show colleges that you're the kind of person you're looking for. Also, I think I did it because my brother used to take these classes and I got jealous so I felt I had to "compete" with him to make my parents feel happier.

3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples?

I am actually one of those students taking prep classes. I took one over the summer and I'm taking Verbal for two semesters at school and two semesters of math to help with my SATs. I found that my SAT prep class over the summer has helped me a lot and has given me confidence to get a good score. I mean College Board states that you're PSAT score is a close estimate of what you will receive on the SAT. Honestly, I got a 1340 on my PSAT which is pretty bad, but I just took another practice test from my prep class and I've improved my score by over 300 points (take that College Board!) People just want higher SATs to get into the school of their choice; it's basically a competition with other kids across the nation.

4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view).

N/A

5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges?

At times I do. My SAT score is a slightly above average, but I know I must work harder to get into a good college.

Good luck on your paper!

[ritzy!]

Do you think grades are too emphasized in schools? (This might apply more to students in the United States, but I think it is quite common around the world).
Yes, because a grade means nothing. How do you know if the student truly understands what they're learning? What if a person isn't too good at a subject but can be the best in everything else? Grades are stupid and can't show you the ability of a person.

1) Have your parents ever bribed your or reward you for bringing home good grades? What are your parents' reactions when you bring home a BAD grade (such as a C or lower). No, they haven't bribed me or reward me for good grades. When I bring home a bad grade, they yell at me. But now, they're a bit more indifferent about it because I have three other younger siblings that they have to care about, though I think they should care about me more cause hello, I'm the oldest, lol.

2) Why did you choose the classes you are taking now? (Again, this is mostly for USA, as USA stresses more on AP courses and Honor courses in high school). Well this year although it's an important year, I'm taking it easy because last year I took challenging classes and I did just OKAY. The classes I chose for this year is because I know I can pass it and I'm interested in it.


3) Many people are constantly being reminded about scoring high on SAT tests. TONS of students are taking SAT prep classes. What is your opinion on this, and are you "forced" to follow these examples? Yeah, I wanna -- want to score high on the SATs. I'm not wasting money on the prep classes though. I'm going to buy me a big book and actually use it. I'm not being forced? I want to do well.


4) I know some of you are parents here, so this question is more directed at you. Do you (as parents or teachers) feel that school grades are too emphasized? (It would be interesting to hear this from an adult's point of view). Not a parent.. =p

5) Do you feel very pressured about competing with your fellow classmates when it comes to scoring high on tests and being accepted into universities/colleges? Not competing but I just want to get high scores and be accepted to the college I want to get into.

[jiyingx]

Thanks for your input, everyone!
This will really help a lot.. surveying "random" students.