The night before a test, students throughout Foran High School are cramming in notes, formulas, and vocabulary, only to forget them days later.
“I feel like I forget materials on a test like an hour later,” stated ninth grader Hope Shannon.
For many students, success in high school is measured by letter grades and numbers rather than by the actual knowledge they gain.
Some students may prioritize grades over actual learning. This tendency begins as early as preschool, where children are often rewarded with stickers or candy for giving correct answers.
Such rewards could teach kids that learning isn’t about understanding concepts, but rather about arriving at the right answer.
Consequently, some students become skilled at performing well on assignments, rather than engaging in deep thinking about the subjects they study.
Studying is often focused more on memorizing than actually understanding it. Some students may cram facts or definitions to perform well on a test, but in some classes, like language classes, studying encourages deeper understanding. This may vary depending on the person.
Student Ava McLaughlin says, “I focus more strongly on understanding concepts rather than memorizing them.”
Grades are intended to measure students’ understanding of new concepts and the extent of their learning. As students progress to higher levels of education, such as high school, classes are often categorized into advanced and regular levels.
This system aims to match students with material that suits their abilities; however, it can also increase the pressure to achieve high grades, according to The University of San Diego.
Many students report that their stress and anxiety are largely due to the pressure of maintaining and attaining high grades.
“I believe that grades primarily reflect a student’s responsibility and work ethic, but I do not think they always accurately measure what students are actually learning,” states Mrs. Barbara Dooley, an English teacher.
While grades indicate how well students keep up with assignments and expectations, they do not always represent the extent of a student’s understanding, especially when success is measured mainly by numbers rather than by learning.
School counselor Lauren Giustino encourages students to find a healthy balance between schoolwork and their health.
“I know the pressure to get the best grades can be a lot for certain students, which is why I think having a balance is important,” states Giustino.
At Foran, there are many ways that administrators balance grading with a student’s well-being. For example, wellness day, which is a break from the workload to reduce the amount of stress on students.
Also, there are five certified school counselors, two social workers, and a school psychologist ready to talk about what students are struggling with, whether it’s grades or other matters.
