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A Young Person’s Guide to the Grading System

Tashyanna Berry

Baker College Allen Park

Essay #1

Section 1119

In the article “A Young Person’s Guide to the Grading System,” Jerry Farber argues that the grading system is a game and therefore grades do not facilitate academic learning. Farber boldly criticize the grading system and offers alternatives to the learning process. I strongly agree with Farber that the grading system does not facilitate academic learning and that there are alternatives to better serve students. He convinced me that grading system becomes irrelevant in many situations once the information is retained.

Farber argument states” grades does not make us want to enrich our mind; they make us want to please our teachers.”(184) Many people are concerned on how they teacher feel about them or what they may say, so getting good grades becomes the key to success. Farber then argues that grades are a game, who read textbooks after grades are in? He believes that once a person’s work is completed then they are not likely to go home and continue reading for more knowledge. What we retain after the term or assignments becomes irrelevant. Farber then discusses that learning is the purpose that happens when you want to know. He discusses how we didn’t need grades to learn the basics, like talking, we learned from those around us not from modifiers and gerunds.

Farber then mentions self-discipline; he explains how it’s pleasing yourself and grades not being given for satisfaction. He states “just because you have passed a subject doesn’t mean you’ve learned it.” (385)

Many readers may think the grading system does facilitate the grading system. They may believe that grades are all of what a person is made of. That grades are the only way to complete or achieve at certain task or subject. Grades are helpful but I personally agree with Jerry Farber when it comes to the grading system. Especially when it comes to self-discipline,