Middle school cancels honors night because it’s too “exclusive”…

[Wayne]

Another example of what's wrong with America. Now, because it's "too exclusive", you can't even honor students who actually work to excel in school.

America is choking on political correctness here people. We need a National Heimlich Maneuver to save us at this point..

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. —Citing concerns about the "exclusive nature" of the annual honors night at Archie R. Cole Middle School, school officials have decided to scrap the tradition.

http://eastgreenwich.patch.com/groups/schools/p/cole-middle-school-cancels-honors-night

 

[JoBBo]

They changed their mind...

http://www.abc6.com/story/25568050/east-greenwich-middle-schools-honors-night-now-back-on

That being said, I would think there are far bigger issues in the United States than this. The concept of "Honors Nights" is entirely foreign to me so I don't see the problem. Teaching children to make an effort and learn harder specifically so they receive accolades during a school event seems rather misguided to me. If the goal is to prepare young people for life-long learning, it seems more appropriate to highlight the intrinsic rewards of education. Extrensic rewards such as medals or money can be effective in the short-term but tend to have little impact in the long term development of most students.

 

[metalman]

The Chemistry Joke That Got a Student Suspended

When the going gets tough, just remember to Barium, Carbon, Potassium, Thorium, Astatine, Arsenic, Sulfur, Uranium, Phosphorus.

"Administrators barred Gray from participating in a senior walk on Friday, Willis reported. She was also supposed to speak at the upcoming graduation ceremony, but Gray said an assistant principal told her that was off."

Paris Gray knows her periodic table

 

[Wayne]

Good to see they reinstated it, but I'm still appalled at the whole "let's treat everyone equally, whether slacker or excellent student" BS..

Much like capitalism versus socialism, when you remove the reward for hard work (socialism/communism), what's the point of working hard at all in the first place?

Wayne

 

[Wayne]

The Chemistry Joke That Got a Student Suspended



"Administrators barred Gray from participating in a senior walk on Friday, Willis reported. She was also supposed to speak at the upcoming graduation ceremony, but Gray said an assistant principal told her that was off."

Paris Gray knows her periodic table

I think you might have meant to create this as a new thread?

 

[cecilia]

if "rewards" were the only incentive there would never be artists and scientists

 

[the_leander]

if "rewards" were the only incentive there would never be artists and scientists

On the contrary, producing good work is a reward in and of itself, that there isn't necessarily competition is what sets the arts and sciences apart.

However, recognition for excellence is a strong motivator and absolutely has its place. There is a feeling among some that equality of outcome should be the ultimate goal and imho that can be deeply detrimental to society as a whole, as it usually involves punishing the top performers for the sake of the bottom, rather than raising the overall standard.

 

[Wayne]

if "rewards" were the only incentive there would never be artists and scientists

For the record, never said "the only incentive", but people, especially children, are different. Adults have the ability to rationalize and as such, can often do things for the sake of the task itself (such as serving one's country). Even artists get a "reward" whether that's the satisfaction of creating the art, or the reception and appreciation of those who see the final work.

Kids however absolutely need goals set for them until they have a proper foundation built to understand that sometimes, doing a task is it's own reward, but any way you look at it, there are "rewards" involved...

Inexorably, with goals come "rewards" (be it recognition, or weekly allowance for chores). Without anything to strive FOR, what's the point?

In regards to the original issue, there is absolutely nothing wrong with honoring those kids who work harder to learn and to excel. To expect the same treatment for the slackers and ne'er-do-wells is moronic and just plain stupid...

Next year, I hear they're canceling the Nobel Peace Prize because it's too exclusive of the millions of us who don't give a shit enough to work towards anything...

See how stupid that sounds?

Wayne