Do you do something special for your high schooler when they get straight As?

[Anonymous]

nothing in a class of 30 kids 20 will get A
5 will get B
3 will get C
1 will D
1 will get F

[Anonymous]

Grades breakdown from the classes that already in.
67% ARE A's
17% Are B's
8 % Are C's
6% Are D's
1% Are 'F....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Grades breakdown from the classes that already in.
67% ARE A's
17% Are B's
8 % Are C's
6% Are D's
1% Are 'F....

It appears that some posters think their child’s As are lessened because so many other children also get As. If the teachers are good that means the children are learning and have become proficient in the subject. That’s the goal and it’s not hard to believe that most students are able to achieve the goal. Bs are also a sign of achievement with maybe one or two missing assignments or a lower test score.

[Anonymous]

The problem for children that are rewarded for everything (participation trophies in sports to As on report cards) is they grow up into adults int he work place that want "attaboys" at work for showing up (maybe on time) and for doing their job.

That is not how the world works, you get bonuses and kuddos for a job well done or going above and beyond, not for doing your job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grades breakdown from the classes that already in.
67% ARE A's
17% Are B's
8 % Are C's
6% Are D's
1% Are 'F....

It appears that some posters think their child’s As are lessened because so many other children also get As. If the teachers are good that means the children are learning and have become proficient in the subject. That’s the goal and it’s not hard to believe that most students are able to achieve the goal. Bs are also a sign of achievement with maybe one or two missing assignments or a lower test score.

If almost all of the students are getting As, it isn’t a challenging class for them. My kid got all As for years without lifting a finger. IMO, his work was not outstanding which is what an A means to me. His teacher said that he met the standards so that’s what an A is. I switched him to a more rigorous private school and most of the As disappeared. He finally learned how to work hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem for children that are rewarded for everything (participation trophies in sports to As on report cards) is they grow up into adults int he work place that want "attaboys" at work for showing up (maybe on time) and for doing their job.

That is not how the world works, you get bonuses and kuddos for a job well done or going above and beyond, not for doing your job.

Getting an A, at some schools IS going above and beyond. “Doing their job” would be to simply pass the class with a high enough grade to receive credit and move on.

[Anonymous]

I do nothing. They didn't get straight As for me. These are their grades and their future. I make that clear. I also make clear they get their 529s even if they get full ride and they can roll over whats left into retirement. I Was also a straight A student. My parents did nothing. (Actually. My parents did worse than nothing - I would get chastised for anything not above 95. I don't do that).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS asked if he could get $100 if he got all A's. I said yes. He has several learning disabilities so all A's is a huge challenge. He ended up with A's and 2 B+. We gave him $75.

Third kid. First two kids never asked for this so they didn't get it. Also NT.

I know the thread has gone on since this post, but I think it's great. I think the difference is that the kid asked for it -- and it doesn't sound necessarily like it was in a materialistic way; more as a way for him to motivate himself. I have a kid with several learning disabilities, and I know that what often comes with that is ADHD (which mine has.) Kids with ADHD are especially primed for that dopamine reward!

But when, as OP said, "my kids aren't materialistic, I don't know what to give them," that's another thing. If I had gotten all As (which I never did, even though I worked hard), I would've been embarrassed to get money. Maybe even embarrassed to get a special dinner. I would've felt like the grades were their own reward, and my parents being happy for me was enough. Not trying to humble brag at all, just saying how it would've felt. Kids may be motivated by different things, though, and OP, I think your reading yours well.

[Anonymous]

Everyone gets straight As nowadays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem for children that are rewarded for everything (participation trophies in sports to As on report cards) is they grow up into adults int he work place that want "attaboys" at work for showing up (maybe on time) and for doing their job.

That is not how the world works, you get bonuses and kuddos for a job well done or going above and beyond, not for doing your job.

Eh, I have never rewarded my kids for their grades (& my parents used to tease me that my all-A report cards were “boring”), but I don’t think giving a kid a trophy at the end of the soccer season (or whatever) has any meaningful impact, positive or negative, on the kid’s adult life. There are all kinds of things that are appropriate for kids but not adults. Most people can adapt as they age.