This is one of the most disastrous policies I’ve heard in a long time. A large percentage of students in Washington area schools keep getting Fs in their classes. Could it be there’s a lot of bad teachers being protected by teachers unions? No, of course not.

It’s the “F” that’s the problem. West Potomac High School in Washington simply did away with Fs and are giving students an “I” for “Incomplete” instead. Students can only earn an F if at the end of the year they fail to do their assignments and learn the content.

The report cards that arrived home late last week showed few failing grades but instead marks of "I" for incomplete, indicating that students still owe their teachers essential work. They will get Fs only if they fail to complete assignments and learn the content in the months to come.

The change in educational philosophy is intended to encourage students to continue working toward mastery of material rather than accepting a failing grade and moving on. Schools throughout the Washington area and the nation have made other moves to improve grading methods, especially as they affect low-performing students, though few have gone so far as West Potomac High, in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County.

I guess “improving grading methods” is the same kind of liberal speak that “reform” is. In both cases it doesn’t mean what you think it means. This is right up there with banning red ink for corrections. We don’t want to emotionally scar students with red ink.

Schools don’t need grading methods changed. They don’t need more money. What they need is accountability. It’s insane that students are actually getting to high school without being able to read. Teachers should be evaluated at the end of every school year. If students are not where they should be academically or damn close the teacher should be fired.

There are so many great teachers in the country. I certainly had many. But there’s also a shit load of really horrible teachers. Teachers who are only still “teaching” because they can’t be fired.

Getting rid of the “F” is dishonest in the extreme. We’re going to create an entire generation of whiny morons who feel entitled to things they never worked for. This is making “too big to fail” into a way of life.

I had my share of Fs in school. F means Failure. It’s an important life lesson. It means you will be held accountable for a failure to complete the mission, the task, or the project. F means you f*cked up and you need to get it together. Life doesn’t give you an “I” for your mistakes it gives you a big fat “F.” The sooner kids learn that the better off they’ll be.

Fresh Chris Christie porn for your viewing pleasure. Christie blasts school superintendent by name for his “greed” and “arrogance.” It’s AWESOME!!

(hat tip Hot Air)

This is just plain creepy…

(hat tip Drudge)

UPDATE:

Michelle uncovered the origins of the tape!