Educators at the Rosewood Middle School had struggled with raising money. Candy and other traditional items did not generate much money for the Goldsboro, North Carolina school. Then they found a commodity that the public was hankering for: they started to sell grades. Until, that is, a bunch of do gooders stepped in and objected.
That fact is that I have been trying to do this for years. Grading would be so much easier if we simply relied on market forces of supply and demand.
However, the Goldsboro plan did not sit well with the state educational authorities. Here is how it worked. For $20, a student could gain 20 test points – 10 extra points on two tests of the student’s choosing. That could raise a B to an A, or a failing grade to a D.
This is a brilliant “banking credits” system used in environmental law and other areas. What is missing, however, is a trading system to allow students to broker grades and allow the market to fluctuate with demand. This would allow grades to rise with the approach of exams but allow prices to fall during the term.
Wayne County school stopped the fundraiser, stating:
“Yesterday afternoon, the district administration met with [Rosewood Middle School principal] Mrs. Shepherd and directed the the following actions be taken: (1) the fundraiser will be immediately stopped; (2) no extra grade credit will be issued that may have resulted from donations; and (3) beginning Novermber 12, all donations will be returned.”
Killjoys. Susie Shepherd, the principal, complied but she noted “[l]ast year they did chocolates, and it didn’t generate anything.”
Some of us will not be deterred, Ms. Shepherd. My students know that I am open for business at any time of the day or night. “Donations” should be left discretely in paper bags on the lectern. I am also willing to sell “protected status” to students who do not want to be called upon in class. I also have a new offering this month called “genius for a day.” For a mere $500, I will give you only easy questions and exclaim your brilliance regardless of whether your answer is correct or incorrect. This offer only applies only to cash payments and is not good in any of the 50 states beyond the District of Columbia.
For the full story, click here.
xiousgeonz–
Well, there’s discreet and there’s discrete–two homophones with different meanings. One must know which of the two words to use when writing.
Those who buy grades don’t learn to spell discreet properly.
FF LEO–
I instructed bright elementary students–as well as bright college students at Boston University.
As in the past–I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.
BTW, my daughter majored in criminal justice in college. She had hopes of becoming a “Federal LEO.”
Ms. EM’
Your inattentive blawg students here would have *never* noticed the “verse” omission; we are in an altogether different class.
As I recall, you were accustomed to instructing bright grade-schoolers.
P.S. I should have written: Here’s a little LIGHT VERSE for the occasion from a retired teacher.
Here’s a little light for the occasion from a retired teacher:
Hip hip hooray!
I got an A
On my science test today.
In history
I got a B—
Thanks to Mom and Dad. You see…
I made the grade
Because they paid.
I love their new financial aid!
Where was this when I went to school. My father used to give me a rather large allowance, to think of all the C-‘s and D+’s I could have avoided. could this work for homework undone also?
ALMA means soul. (For real.)
This would have been a great system, I could have had a solid C- average with little or no work.
What was that Rodney Dangerfield movie . . . ?
The dead give-away was the Visa/MasterCard stickers posted on the school house door. I am happy to see that Professor Turley has finally disabused himself of any quaint notions of fair play, and has now subscribed to the Republican mantra of “It’s All For Sale.” Way to move with the times. Do you have a structured payment plan and financing options? Will you take investors?
“Your school”
Sorry. The blatant stupidity of the administrators bled out of this story and on to my fingers. Bad story! Bad!
Gah!
http://jonathanturley.org/2009/11/12/sempter-fraud-federal-prosecutors-charge-another-for-stolen-valor/#comment-90097
“I thought you said you could run a nuclear reactor, Mr. Jones. You’re school confirmed you attended classes, er, um, paid for attending your classes.”
The road to Hell is apparently paved with fund raisers. Who woulda thunk it. Then again, rubber chicken is a staple in the Pit of Despair. With a side order of Muzak.
Well Professor is the offer good in any occupied territory or possession?
Heck, sell em, this is how the real banking works on Wall street. Geese’s to all and a good flocking to boot. A fundamental education approach and someone complains about the free market and capitalism in the same breath. They must not have been paying attention during the dumb down years, when dumbo was president. Oops, I meant Ronnie.