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Competition is good.  It’s why we keep score during sports and academic competitions.  It builds character.  Not everyone will be good at dodgeball.  In fact, some kids are like cannon fodder.  The whistle blows and they are immediately knocked out.  Some people say this is a bad thing as it bruises the kids self-esteem.  Instead of having a pity party and keeping everyone from playing dodgeball, how about we find what that kid is good at, maybe chess, and encourage them to excel there.  They will probably kick the pants off the best dodgeballer at chess. 

My father once told me, “The world needs ditch diggers.” What a valuable lesson that was. What he was telling me was that not everyone will be a Nobel Laureate. Not everyone will be a doctor, lawyer, CEO nor Olympian. People each have certain strengths. For some people, that strength is their mind and they do very well in school and with the more complex day to day tasks. Others may not be as bright, but have other strengths.  There are a few factors that dictate what one will do as an occupation.  1) General intelligence.  Typically, the more intelligent one is, the better they do in school and they get a degree and a decent (or better) job.  2) The choices one makes.  As we grow up, our lot in life is dictated by the choices we make.  If a teen chooses to skip school or do drugs or get pregnant or get someone pregnant or whatever, these choices will dictate where they go in life.  This is not to say that these people won’t be successful, but it will most likely be harder for them.

So why would we want to support a system in school that promotes a “no zero policy”?  Or a system where the student can not receive an F?  Please read this article.  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,518101,00.html If your school system considers going to this system, I would suggest you speak up and tell them “NO”!  Don’t lower the bar, raise it.  It’s proven that when you challenge students to do better, to expect them to do better, they respond.  Please read http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258891,00.html?sPage=fnc/us/education If, as a nation, we continue to reward mediocrity, we are doomed.  Unfortunately, we are bringing our children up in a system that says “Don’t worry.  If you don’t do well, the government will take care of you.”  We are telling them that it’s ok to be a lazy dumbass.  It’s NOT OK!