No easy fix

My last post dealt with “Rick,” my union rep. We had a discussion on the merits of the new retention — or, rather, lack of retention — policy in my school. Fail or no fail, we appear to plan to pass them on to the next grade. I’m not against the policy per se. I can see a certain fairness in it. We shifted the whole ground under the kids this year. Suddenly, they had multiple tests weekly. Suddenly, outsiders set the level of those tests, without having known these students. Unreadable tests became common. Failing grades soared, including those in my own gradebook.

Eduhonesty: For this year, a blanket pass may represent justice rather than mercy.