"Student Expectations Seen as Causing Grade Disputes"

Professor Grossman is on the mark when it comes to what he considers his default grade he says “I tell my classes that if they just do what they are supposed to do and meet the standard requirements, that they will earn a C, " he said. "That is the default grade. They see the default grade as an A." Grossman feels this is due to students having a predisposition  or sense of  "entitlement". I couldn't agree more.

Perhaps what is causing students to feel entitled to receive a good grade is being passed at lower levels of grade and middle schools (K-12) without having to provide proof - through diligent study and practice the basic skills necessary to read and write. 

Aaron M. Brower, the vice provost for teaching and learning at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, offered another theory which supports my own but from an opposing angle. “I think that it stems from their K-12 experiences,” Brower said. “They have become ultra-efficient in test preparation. And this hyper-efficiency has led them to look for a magic formula to get high scores.”

Do you feel you deserve grades based on your effort or is it that you earned the grade you receive because of your effort? I can suggest that I do not assume that I am entitled to any sort of grade, rather I believe that my grade should be reflected in my effort and also, the ability to master what is required of me - in balance. 


It is often that I tell my own children, if you do average work in school - expect an average wage paying job and or career. One that affords perhaps the ability to simply pay for rent, food, utilities and perhaps a form of transportation. Beyond that I explain that if you do better than average, then upon those extra earnings you are able then to save money for a new car, house or vacations. With exceptional work ethic you may achieve anything - and the rewards and financial freedom that go along with that effort would make for them a better way of life. 


Even perhaps enough to give back or contribute to the community they live.