Inate ability vs. effort

[Marshallj]

Reading the other thread about grades made me think of an issue that I often see raised.

How do you feel about grades and test scores when you take inate ability and effort into consideration?

When I was in school, I was not a very good student. I rarely did my homework, did not study, yet managed to ace all my tests and make my way through school. A lot of students in my class took offense to that, since they complained about how hard they have to study to pass, while I was basically a slacker who got straight A's on the tests. I was in honors classes as well as a gifted program for students who placed over a certain percentile in the CAT tests (My sister was also in this class, and she ended up being the valedictorian of her class, as did my grandmom)

They felt that I should not be in the honors classes since I did not try. They claimed that students should be rewarded for their hard work and not their inate abilities. Yet I contented that since all my test scores were higher than theirs, I proved that I possessed the knowledge that the class taught. I said that my placement tests placed me higher in the class than them, and that I should have a higher pecking order based on my test results (where it counts).

The other students generally didn't respect me since I did not try, and that someone's IQ should not have anything to do with the grades they got. I stated that I was in the top class and still managed to pass, so I should not be *punished* just because it didn't take much effort for me to pass.

How do you feel about this? This is not the special olympics here, there are no handicaps on the scores. When it comes time to prove your knowledge of what you were taught, should you be rewarded on your scores? The same principle could apply to anything really, if it was a track event, one kid may claim that he should get the medal because he ran as fast as he possibly can, while a naturally gifted athlete leisurely took his time but still managed to come in first place.

Should inate abilities be compensated for, or should the results speak for themselves?

 

[tweakmm]

Results are results, if you friends tried to get you out of the honors classes you should have told them to STFU and get back to studying.

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: Marshallj
Reading the other thread about grades made me think of an issue that I often see raised.

How do you feel about grades and test scores when you take inate ability and effort into consideration?

When I was in school, I was not a very good student. I rarely did my homework, did not study, yet managed to ace all my tests and make my way through school. A lot of students in my class took offense to that, since they complained about how hard they have to study to pass, while I was basically a slacker who got straight A's on the tests. I was in honors classes as well as a gifted program for students who placed over a certain percentile in the CAT tests (My sister was also in this class, and she ended up being the valedictorian of her class, as did my grandmom)

They felt that I should not be in the honors classes since I did not try. They claimed that students should be rewarded for their hard work and not their inate abilities. Yet I contented that since all my test scores were higher than theirs, I proved that I possessed the knowledge that the class taught. I said that my placement tests placed me higher in the class than them, and that I should have a higher pecking order based on my test results (where it counts).

The other students generally didn't respect me since I did not try, and that someone's IQ should not have anything to do with the grades they got. I stated that I was in the top class and still managed to pass, so I should not be *punished* just because it didn't take much effort for me to pass.

How do you feel about this? This is not the special olympics here, there are no handicaps on the scores. When it comes time to prove your knowledge of what you were taught, should you be rewarded on your scores? The same principle could apply to anything really, if it was a track event, one kid may claim that he should get the medal because he ran as fast as he possibly can, while a naturally gifted athlete leisurely took his time but still managed to come in first place.

Should inate abilities be compensated for, or should the results speak for themselves?

They're just jealous.

 

[BatmanNate]

My take on the issue is that the educations system's place is to teach you a certain set of criteria, and if you know that criteria already or pick it up easily then you have acheived all that is neccesary for ideal marks under said system. What you have to do to get to that point is irrelevant; all that matters is that you know what is required. This is why grading people on effort bothers me. If you weren't a good pilot but you "tried really really hard," chances are nobody would be willing to risk lives and business putting you in one of their airliners. This is the nature of the world, fruitless effort is of very little value and there should not be compensation for it.

 

[xirtam]

I was the same way, Marshallj. Your brick wall will come, and you'll wind up telling yourself, "Crap! I have to study! Hmmm... how do I do that?"

I wasn't challenged in high school either. And rather than continue to seek academic challenges for myself, I slacked, lowering myself to the standards set before me. Because if I can naturally perform at the high end without having to try, what's the point in working harder just to be immeasurably off the chart?

That thinking is dangerous. And while it's stupid to deny you entry into classes because you don't have to try, I would seek ways of making sure you know how to study for when you will find yourself having to work for your grades.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Results are what count not how much effort it takes you to achieve them, though you should be penalized if you do things (like goof off in class) that disrupt the work of other students.

Read or watch Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" to see treating everyone equally carried to absurd extremes.

And don't expect college to be nearly as easy

 

[Gage8]

Originally posted by: Marshallj
Reading the other thread about grades made me think of an issue that I often see raised.

How do you feel about grades and test scores when you take inate ability and effort into consideration?

When I was in school, I was not a very good student. I rarely did my homework, did not study, yet managed to ace all my tests and make my way through school. A lot of students in my class took offense to that, since they complained about how hard they have to study to pass, while I was basically a slacker who got straight A's on the tests. I was in honors classes as well as a gifted program for students who placed over a certain percentile in the CAT tests (My sister was also in this class, and she ended up being the valedictorian of her class, as did my grandmom)

They felt that I should not be in the honors classes since I did not try. They claimed that students should be rewarded for their hard work and not their inate abilities. Yet I contented that since all my test scores were higher than theirs, I proved that I possessed the knowledge that the class taught. I said that my placement tests placed me higher in the class than them, and that I should have a higher pecking order based on my test results (where it counts).

The other students generally didn't respect me since I did not try, and that someone's IQ should not have anything to do with the grades they got. I stated that I was in the top class and still managed to pass, so I should not be *punished* just because it didn't take much effort for me to pass.

How do you feel about this? This is not the special olympics here, there are no handicaps on the scores. When it comes time to prove your knowledge of what you were taught, should you be rewarded on your scores? The same principle could apply to anything really, if it was a track event, one kid may claim that he should get the medal because he ran as fast as he possibly can, while a naturally gifted athlete leisurely took his time but still managed to come in first place.

Should inate abilities be compensated for, or should the results speak for themselves?

hey, this is just way to much to read at the end of the day!

 

[nan0bug]

I think hard work should be recognized, but maybe the people who were complaining so much should evaluate if they really belong in honors classes.

 

[Jugernot]

I have a inate ability to be an ass... as seen on this board. I have to try hard and produce a lot of effort to hold back from bitching slapping certain members from time to time. Does that count?