As a student, at any level, I always appreciated it when a teacher gave clear standards for grades. In high school, I used it to gauge how well I had mastered the skill or topic. In college, I used it as a time management tool. Great good heavens, I hated those times when I had to look at an assignment I could do to A standards, but had to choose to put it down so I could deal with unexpected things.

Kristen! Death by esophagus is not funny in real life! I'm glad you're feeling better.

Apparently Dollhouse pilot starts production April 23rd - [link]

Ooh, excellent.

I am pleased to report that a new spec has finally been completed without any further attacks of the esophagus.

Though I will be drinking half a bottle of Mylanta before going to sleep, just in case.

In craft news: [link]

A work has to be exemplary and not just merely proficient. And a C means a kid has met the standards as given.

this. so much this.

I've taught high school, college, and grad school. The point at which I became truly "this is my not caring face," (to quote - I think - a very wise Fay) was when a 4th year college student argued a B because she'd "worked very hard." I'd been clear with standards. There were reviews given regularly and this student knew both where she stood and how she could improve.

I assumed then, and I will go on believing now, that everyone works extremely hard. I think that is one way we will continue to be a civilization that dreams of things, and creates things, rather than just consuming things. With that expectation.

HA! Sox, that is so true. I actually used to say to the B students who were using the "I tried hard!" defense "And I can tell you worked so hard. You got a B! That's great. That's so much better than the people who just met the standards and got a C!"

Speaking from the other side of the grade war, as a student, I adored my 9th grade algebra teacher. She gave certificates of achievement to everyone in her classes who made a C or better. She gave us this big pep talk at the end of the year, explaining that if you got a C in her class, that meant you had worked hard, mastered the material in a very satisfactory way, and were capable of learning any future level of math that might be required. I can attest that I worked very hard for my B in algebra, learned scads of good study habits because of how that teacher required us to do the work, and gained enormous confidence in myself.

I have long known as a student that a hard-won C often means more than an easy A.

[link]