Some parents in the Nashville public schools have complained that their children's self-esteem is suffering because they consistently fail to make the honor roll. And the Nashville schools have caved in and stopped recognizing the achievements of their "A" students, on the advice of their lawyers.
The parents of the kids formerly on the honor roll are up in arms, defending this tradition, but who knows whether they will regain the lost ground. Our society has so distorted the real meaning of self esteem, and made hurting someone's feelings an actionable offense, that I'm not convinced that our schools can regain their lost sense of perspective.
A little healthy competition, where kids can test their skills, learn ways to improve themselves and enjoy a real sense of achievement for a job well done (or even for giving it a good try) is one of the main avenues to gaining real self-esteem. People respond to recognition! Incentives help some kids to work harder! That's a good thing!
I'm not personally a big fan of public education, but I don't want to see it fail, either. I think if they can't put a lid on this type of oversensitivity, they will only drive more people out of the schools. My sister is homeschooling her children; one of her reasons for doing so is that she can't put up with the bureaucracy that caters to a few malcontents at the expense of everyone else. And I can't blame her for not wanting to subject her kids to this kind of nonsense.
That's one of the stupidest things I have read in a while. Can't make the honor roll? I'm sorry, Johnny. We'll just do away with that nasty little reward for those kids who actually work on their education.
Another generation of angry programmers, IMHO.
Posted by: jeff at February 3, 2004 06:42 AMwhile it's true that this form of extremism seems to be more and more accepted - this is Florida for gosh sakes!
Posted by: cliff at February 3, 2004 11:59 AMCouldn't resist joining my friends in the fray... And what about field day where everyone gets a ribbon? Kathy hit the nail on the head with the need to "put a lid on this type of oversensitivity"
Posted by: Kim at February 11, 2004 05:30 PM