Spring Break
Future of covered grades in question
Tour guides told to de-emphasize school's policy of first semester covered grades
Issue date: 9/18/08
"Our academic environment is challenging, but it's nothing anymore burdensome than another top-rated college. When you see this as a prominent feature when you're coming here, you might say 'Wow what are they protecting me from?' We're not protecting you from anything," Bader said.
Members of the faculty have expressed concern that because of the covered grades policy, students are not as well prepared for typical year-long freshmen courses such as calculus, physics and chemistry, which continue into the graded second semester.
The administration has conducted studies of grade point averages across the freshman class during both the first and second semesters.
They have concluded that the majority of the student body performs at a lower overall academic level due to poor study habits formed during the covered first semester.
"If you're under the impression that grades don't matter, you're not as focused or disciplined as you should be, and therefore, you create habits that are not as useful that you have to unlearn when faced with real grades. So what was supposed to be a way to transition you nicely into college is actually a way to transition you into poor habits," Bader said.
Members of the administration believe that covered grades creates a culture of "getting courses out of the way" and encourages students to take courses that are often too difficult in order to earn credit.
"We know that it is a popular policy; We would argue of course that it is popular for all the wrong reasons. I think a lot of students may not fully appreciate that they are being punished for excellence," Conley said.
"You all work hard, you deserve the benefits of your hard work. Why not give you credit for it? If you're not taking your studies seriously, why should you get a free pass? Every other student in America is making an adjustment in college life Â- why can't we? I personally don't believe we need to protect anybody," Bader said.
In order for the covered grades policy to be formally abolished, the University's Curriculum Council would have to report to the Academic Council, which holds the final word on academic policy.
The Curriculum Council is made up of faculty and students, while the Academic Council solely comprised of faculty members.
Members of the faculty have expressed concern that because of the covered grades policy, students are not as well prepared for typical year-long freshmen courses such as calculus, physics and chemistry, which continue into the graded second semester.
The administration has conducted studies of grade point averages across the freshman class during both the first and second semesters.
They have concluded that the majority of the student body performs at a lower overall academic level due to poor study habits formed during the covered first semester.
"If you're under the impression that grades don't matter, you're not as focused or disciplined as you should be, and therefore, you create habits that are not as useful that you have to unlearn when faced with real grades. So what was supposed to be a way to transition you nicely into college is actually a way to transition you into poor habits," Bader said.
Members of the administration believe that covered grades creates a culture of "getting courses out of the way" and encourages students to take courses that are often too difficult in order to earn credit.
"We know that it is a popular policy; We would argue of course that it is popular for all the wrong reasons. I think a lot of students may not fully appreciate that they are being punished for excellence," Conley said.
"You all work hard, you deserve the benefits of your hard work. Why not give you credit for it? If you're not taking your studies seriously, why should you get a free pass? Every other student in America is making an adjustment in college life Â- why can't we? I personally don't believe we need to protect anybody," Bader said.
In order for the covered grades policy to be formally abolished, the University's Curriculum Council would have to report to the Academic Council, which holds the final word on academic policy.
The Curriculum Council is made up of faculty and students, while the Academic Council solely comprised of faculty members.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
elle
posted 9/20/08 @ 11:10 AM EST
I think that the covered grade policy is quite wonderful. Among high school students, Hopkins is correctly known to be quite challenging, academically. (Continued…)
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