Recently, St. Basil Elementary and Junior High School announced their decision to remove academic awards for students, and while some support the idea of a protecting the pride of students, many more are furious that academic achievements are not being properly recognized.
According to the Calgary Herald, the decision made by Administration and staff was made in the best interest of all students. School officials explained that “Awards eventually lose their lustre to students who get them, while often hurting the self-esteem and pride of those who do not receive a certificate.”
However, many students and their parents do not agree. “They’re telling us that the one per cent of students or so who have learning problems or the group of students who can’t get on the honour roll outweighs the kids who can,” said Andreas Winn, a Grade 9 Student at St. Basil.
The latest move by St. Basil is part of an education movement to remove disappointment and “ensure success.” Increasing awareness and attention of students with learning disabilities has made schools and education boards focus on improvement and equality, rather than recognition. And this is not the only school to start following this trend. Last year, a number of junior high schools such as Ecole Madeleine d’Houet junior high school have vowed to put honour roll certificates with report cards instead of having a formal ceremony. The Calgary Board of Education announced earlier this year for a pilot project to remove teacher comments and replace traditional marks with “learning outcome ratings” in kindergarten to Grade 9 report cards. But due to concerns from parents and educators, the project is now currently on hold.
I believe that removing academic awards is not the right idea. As an honour roll student, I may be biased, but success should be recognized. While it may hurt the feelings of some, we must expose kids to a competitive atmosphere at a young age. I believe that this is the only way for kids to strive to achieve better “learning outcome ratings” each and every report card.
What do you think of academic awards? Should they be removed to build and maintain every child’s self-esteem, or should achievements be recognized. Do we need to respect those students who may not be naturally good at achieving high marks? Or are parents just over-protecting their kids?
Being in TLC for middle school, then IB in high school, I was honestly never exposed to those that didn’t receive “Academic Awards”. Next Thursday I’m participating in a ceremony myself to receive an award. At our school, the only requirement is having an average above 80%, which, in my opinion isn’t that hard to achieve. Although there are those who are satisfied with their 70% and accept that that may be all the can achieve. Those who do not receive awards are most likely used to it since getting good grades doesn’t happen over night. It takes an effort to consistently get good marks, and if for two years in a row you aren’t able to get awards, it’s not going to be big news. Cancelling an event that congratulates those for their hard work is condemning those who do want to succeed in order to avoid offending the minority who don’t? It’s up for discussion…