I regularly read Bob Morse’s Blog on US News. Recently, he posted “Which Schools Are A+ for B Students? October 08, 2009 12:46 PM ET | Robert Morse”. On first site, it appears to have the possibility of a good read. However, I was turned off by the first sentence which reads, “What do you do if you are a high school student with less-than-dazzling grades and SAT/ACT test scores and you still want to go to a very good school?”
Seriously, can someone please tell me when getting all B’s became “less than stellar”? As a credentialed and experienced educator, I find this to be offensive. We need to stop insisting that all students have A’s. Or worse, having less than straight A’s makes you “less than stellar”. Grading scales are set to distinguish between excellent, above average, average, below average, and not meeting expectations. When everyone earns A’s, what then becomes the basis of average?
While attending a top tier school is great, it is essential that people understand that the degree does not make the person. It is what that person does with the degree. To even suggest that the B student must find a school that will give them an A+ education, as if they aren’t worthy of an elite education, leaves little hope for those below a B!
Finding an A+ school isn’t about whether or not you were an A or B student. It is about finding a school that fits you. Having straight A’s does not guarantee that you will fit in best at an elite school. Believe it or not, there are MANY valedictorians and A students that choose NOT to go to an elite school. And by the way, there are B students that get into A schools!