I still vividly remember how the very real threat of being held back a grade or two in school was the primary motivator for me.
I'm relatively smart, but have always been a very lazy student, from first grade through college.
I knew kids who'd been held back because of failing grades. The parents had no say in the matter. You failed enough subjects, you were held back. It was quite a stigma. If you failed just a couple, you went to summer school. Again, a stigma.
My family made sure i understood this.
I always managed to just pass every year.
If that threat had not been real, i hate to think how easily i would have managed to slide through without learning anything of substance.
I think that would have hurt my self-esteem much more in the long run.
You are naive if you think that actual evidence such as this is going to modify the stance of the teachers' unions in Oakland one whit.
8.27.2006 11:31pm
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
But you do need to have the fundamentals down first and foremost.
I'm relatively smart, but have always been a very lazy student, from first grade through college.
I knew kids who'd been held back because of failing grades. The parents had no say in the matter. You failed enough subjects, you were held back. It was quite a stigma. If you failed just a couple, you went to summer school. Again, a stigma.
My family made sure i understood this.
I always managed to just pass every year.
If that threat had not been real, i hate to think how easily i would have managed to slide through without learning anything of substance.
I think that would have hurt my self-esteem much more in the long run.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.