No Failure

I guess teachers and administrators in one school in Saskatchewan have not heard about the self-esteem study. Nutana C. I. which celebrated its centenary is about to embark on a new philosophy about achievement.

"Failure may no longer be an option at a Saskatchewan high school. To spare students' hurt feelings and damaged prospects, Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon is considering no longer issuing failing grades starting at the end of January. Instead of grades below 50, students would receive "incomplete" or "no mark" on their report cards and transcripts ( How is this not a failure?) said Nutana principal Shirley Figley. If the school makes the change, which is still under discussion with the school division, parents and students, Ms. Figley believes it will be the first high school in the country to do away with failing grades on a school-wide basis. "Failing marks do not encourage student engagement with school," she said yesterday, pointing to the permanent scar on a student's transcript, as well as negative effects on motivation and self-esteem. ( There it is the self-esteem word.) Teachers are also demoralized when they hand out failing grades because many see it as indicative of their own efforts, Ms Figley said. " Just like doctors don't want patients to die, teacher don't want their students to fail." The death of a patient is beyond a patient and doctor control but failure is not necessarily beyond the control of the student.
This is staggering that the principal actually buys into to what she is saying.