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5
9
Grade character Don't Grade Character
Debate Score:14
Arguments:10
Total Votes:16
Ended:11/10/17
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 Grade character (4)
 
 Don't Grade Character (6)

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Grading Character

There have been many discussions around the importance of character development in schools.  Should schools get involved with teaching and grading morality and character traits.  Research has shown that character predicts success in some cases better than grades.  Research has also shown that character is hard to teach in a quantifiable way.  Should schools get involved in this messy business that could lead to college success.

Grade character

Side Score: 5
VS.

Don't Grade Character

Side Score: 9
Winning Side!
1 point

To me this answer is pretty simple. If it's a math, science, or any study topic where there is precisely one objective answer on the testing with no subjectivity to it then grading character is irrelevant. Either you did the math equation right or you did not. Granted if you cheat that may still impact your grade but then that's not really a subjective evaluation of their character, it's then just an objective fact that they were caught cheating.

But, if it's a social studies or humanities or literature comprehension or any study topic where substantial subjectivity is part of determining how well they did then the simple reality that it's up to the teacher means it's in their rights and power to consider their character.

I'll also take that one step further in explanation. When students have trouble in school they get put through an evalution process to come up with IEP's (which stands for individualized education programs). Those exist to come up with study skills and co-teaching scenarios and a whole package of support to help that problem student get back on track and improve. Character is intrinsically tied to the IEP issue. Whether the student is hitting others or saying inappropriate things (like sexually harrassing students of the other gender) or flat refusing to do their homework, those are all issues of character. If the teachers and administrations are already involved with IEPs then to say they shouldn't be grading character makes no sense at all.

It's a blend.

And indeed, that's what life is too, isn't it? There will be times in life you either objectively have something right or you don't and that's enough and fine. And there are other times, whether it's on the job or out in society, where simply having an answer but still being a d!ck about it will ruin you and ruin the people in society around you. Having a blend of reasons for grading is completely appropriate if you want to prepare them for real life.

Side: Grade character
1 point

Yes I believe teachers should grade character traits because there are some students that work really hard and put in a lot of effort to make sure they are following all rules and to participate in class and for the ones that are putting in the effort should be graded for it if get extra credit. Specially because they have to deal with the students that are disruptive,rude,and a lot more and yet they still find s way to stay on track and do what they need to do .

Side: Grade character
1 point

I think it's a good idea to grade on character . One reason is because a student might not be as good in math but at the same time they could be working towards that and having a positive outlook/ attitude about it but also a student needs to know what's right and what's wrong whether it's taught at home or in a classroom .

Side: Grade character
1 point

I think the debate on whether teachers should grade on their students character is justified. I believe this because teachers grade on if their students get a question right or wrong, but the way they conduct themselves could affect the way their grades are reflected. There are many different aspects to learning, and the character of a student is one of them. So yes grading a character of a student is justified.

Side: Grade character
2 points

Firstly I don't think it should be graded because there'd just be too much unavoidable bias, and people's agendas would be pushed on children who want good grades. Maybe if there are private reports sent to parents to describe the child's behavior/character so that parents can decide if they want to step in it would be okay (which already happens on report cards), but it can't be a focus. Schools should only grade academia.

As for teaching character I would not do this because it is a form of indoctrination into a set of ideals, which I am against. I believe school should teach objective facts and nothing else. Character improvement is the responsibility of the student not the school, at all age levels.

Public schools cost taxpayer's money, and I don't want my money going into teaching children to behave the way the government wants them to.

Side: Don't Grade Character
2 points

When it comes to education, the grades you receive should always be based on what you have learned not the behavior, because someone could be very smart when it comes to their education, but they just have a bad character making them seem like they are not learning anything when they really are trying their best and a easy way of telling this is to never judge someone's ability to learn based on their behavior.

Side: Don't Grade Character
2 points

I don't think teachers should grade students by their behavior. I say this because grading them by behavior doesn't show what they know academically. A child could not be the best behaved but yet still be very intelligent but if their grade was brought down because of their behavior, it makes others see his intelligence as a lower level then what it really is. I think if a teacher wants to include behavior in their report card they can, just separate from their academic grade.

Side: Don't Grade Character

Only a religious ideology would try to define objective morality to kids. Oh wait.....

Side: Don't Grade Character
1 point

I don't think you should grade character because students do their work to get the grade not their character. Some people are who they are they shouldn't get graded for that. They should only get graded for their work because that's what they came for to learn but also they should also show respect which is a must.

Side: Don't Grade Character
1 point

I do not think teachers should grade character all due to the fact that all that really counts now in the 21 century is grades based on what you learned In class; I also feel as though grading on character helps little with motivation because from a students perspective getting high grades in things that their parents feel mean something is enough motivation, but along with this comes stress. Stress can have a negative impact on a persons character so this grading would be something to come along and stress the student even more. Though character is important, grading on it would make it artificial all due to the fact that it IS a grade. I feel like good character should be shown and developed but not graded. _Madison 3A

Side: Don't Grade Character