Awards at American schools

[Anonymous]

It's not fluff. It's how we grow confident leaders and not a bunch of automaton followers. Everyone shines in their own way.

I also don't love that there are absolute low performers or behavioral problems that can drag a whole class down. There needs to be balance so that every child can be lifted up to be their very best (as Mr Rogers would say).

Yes I'm sad about the kids upthread who worked hard and weren't recognized publicly. I can assure you that teachers individually noticed and appreciated them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Immigrant here. Just stop comparing, OP. I've seen first hand, over multiple schools and many years, how it can all too easily turn into a popularity contest. My young adult with special needs put in a ton of effort throughout K-12, but this was invisible to his teacher and he never got any awards geared towards "effort". And one high schooler who is gifted (not just straight As but several grades ahead in math and always contributes the right answers in class, etc) and has never gotten any achievement awards either. They're both introverted kids who are polite to all but aren't loudly making friends with teachers and students and emoting all over the place.

That’s what I’m observing too. Introverted, studious, bright kids get ignored by schools while loud and extroverted mediocre students are getting the awards.

At least in my DC’s class it was very obvious. A brilliant overachiever kid got just the Dean’s List award while a girl who is focused in dating SGA President and cheats in every class got three awards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:American schools aren’t about academic achievement these days.

What is their mission then? They’re definitely not character building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Immigrant here. Just stop comparing, OP. I've seen first hand, over multiple schools and many years, how it can all too easily turn into a popularity contest. My young adult with special needs put in a ton of effort throughout K-12, but this was invisible to his teacher and he never got any awards geared towards "effort". And one high schooler who is gifted (not just straight As but several grades ahead in math and always contributes the right answers in class, etc) and has never gotten any achievement awards either. They're both introverted kids who are polite to all but aren't loudly making friends with teachers and students and emoting all over the place.

That’s what I’m observing too. Introverted, studious, bright kids get ignored by schools while loud and extroverted mediocre students are getting the awards.

At least in my DC’s class it was very obvious. A brilliant overachiever kid got just the Dean’s List award while a girl who is focused in dating SGA President and cheats in every class got three awards.

This will continue in the workplace. Introverted, diligent high-performers will be passed over for promotions while extroverted gladhanders are promoted for demonstrating leadership.

The schools are trying to raise successful Americans, and for better or worse this is the American way.

[Anonymous]

Their words are charity for the kids who don't do well in school, to encourage them to keep trying, often despite lack of parental support. For kids who do well in school, that's its own the reward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Immigrant here. Just stop comparing, OP. I've seen first hand, over multiple schools and many years, how it can all too easily turn into a popularity contest. My young adult with special needs put in a ton of effort throughout K-12, but this was invisible to his teacher and he never got any awards geared towards "effort". And one high schooler who is gifted (not just straight As but several grades ahead in math and always contributes the right answers in class, etc) and has never gotten any achievement awards either. They're both introverted kids who are polite to all but aren't loudly making friends with teachers and students and emoting all over the place.

That’s what I’m observing too. Introverted, studious, bright kids get ignored by schools while loud and extroverted mediocre students are getting the awards.

At least in my DC’s class it was very obvious. A brilliant overachiever kid got just the Dean’s List award while a girl who is focused in dating SGA President and cheats in every class got three awards.

3 awards for what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The awards are charity for the kids who don't do well in school, to encourage them to keep trying, often despite lack of parental support. For kids who do well in school, that's its own the reward.

Fixed typos

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Their words are charity for the kids who don't do well in school, to encourage them to keep trying, often despite lack of parental support. For kids who do well in school, that's its own the reward.

That must be it. Do they have a charity fund raiser for those poor kids who did some extraordinary art work in class? Or maybe for the kid who was a great help to his fellow students in the learning center?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Immigrant here. Just stop comparing, OP. I've seen first hand, over multiple schools and many years, how it can all too easily turn into a popularity contest. My young adult with special needs put in a ton of effort throughout K-12, but this was invisible to his teacher and he never got any awards geared towards "effort". And one high schooler who is gifted (not just straight As but several grades ahead in math and always contributes the right answers in class, etc) and has never gotten any achievement awards either. They're both introverted kids who are polite to all but aren't loudly making friends with teachers and students and emoting all over the place.

That’s what I’m observing too. Introverted, studious, bright kids get ignored by schools while loud and extroverted mediocre students are getting the awards.

At least in my DC’s class it was very obvious. A brilliant overachiever kid got just the Dean’s List award while a girl who is focused in dating SGA President and cheats in every class got three awards.

3 awards for what?

Like award for “Language” (subject, although not the best academically), award for core values (kindness), award for overall disposition.
Half of school on Dean’s List or President’s List due to grade inflation.

This is high school btw.