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Two Benedict (College, SC) professors fired over grade policy (college educrat alert)
The State (Columbia, SC) ^ | 20 August 2004 | Carolyn Click

Posted on 08/20/2004 8:47:22 AM PDT by Moose4

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Benedict is a historically black college, unfortunately situated in a pretty bad part of Columbia (literally across the corner from the worst projects in town). Their president, Dr. Swinton, has been nothing but a disaster for this school. Crime is rampant, on-campus and in the surrounding neighborhoods, and there have been persistent accusations that the Benedict administration has not reported crimes to the city, trying to cover up for students caught dealing drugs in the dorms or assaulting other people. Now we find out that Benedict freshmen get 60% of their grades based on "effort" because they're coming in too uneducated to pass based on knowledge.

One would hope that Benedict's faculty and alumni, and the Columbia community that supports the school, would rise up and throw Dr. Swinton out for what he's done to the school. But somehow I doubt that's going to happen.

}:-)4

1 posted on 08/20/2004 8:47:22 AM PDT by Moose4
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To: Moose4

While I've never seen an official policy to this effect, unofficially I'm sure many faculty do this at other schools.


2 posted on 08/20/2004 8:51:42 AM PDT by Right Wing Professor (www.swiftvets.com)
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To: Moose4

Did Dr. Swinton come from Jackson State?


3 posted on 08/20/2004 8:52:29 AM PDT by Tulane
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To: Moose4

This policy is just wrong. Achievement in the class is the thing that should be graded, not effort.

If I was one of those who handled the academics with the least amount of effort, I'd expect my A to stay an A. And I'd expect the kids struggling to do better, to well... do better or find another line of course work that is better suited for them.

If the college wants to be progressive about this, they should study how counseling and professor-student interactions can increase student achievement. Students who have professors who proactively interact and assist their students tend to do better, etc, etc.


4 posted on 08/20/2004 8:54:16 AM PDT by coconutt2000
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To: Tulane

What happened at Jackson State?


5 posted on 08/20/2004 8:54:54 AM PDT by Slings and Arrows (Am Yisrael Chai!)
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To: Moose4
The students “have to get an A in effort to guarantee that if they fail the subject matter, they can get the minimum passing grade,” Swinton said. “I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

An A for effort? What is this, kindergarten?

"His [ head of the college ] best asset is his vision,"

Yeah, by grading on "effort" everyone passes but no one learns. Sounds like vision to me.
6 posted on 08/20/2004 8:56:26 AM PDT by lelio
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To: Moose4

I was under the impression that people attended college to actually learn something. Guess I was wrong.


7 posted on 08/20/2004 8:57:08 AM PDT by jtminton (Kerry/Edwards 2004: It's Boring in America again!)
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To: lelio

"Benedict, a liberal arts college"

Just WHAT are they good for when they graduate!!

They must go into Democratic politics!!


8 posted on 08/20/2004 9:00:30 AM PDT by Not a 60s Hippy
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To: Moose4

Hey, they signed their name to their gubment aid, isn't that enough effort to get a C?


9 posted on 08/20/2004 9:00:40 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn
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To: Moose4

I always said a right answer proves nothing. Take spelling for example; spelling a word in more than way takes far more intelligence than spelling it only one way. To think I could have graduated with honors had it not been for all those less than perfect test scores that I really, really tried hard to ace.

I just can't figure out why I have never met anyone with a prestigious degree from Benedict. Then again those with a degree from a well run institution such as Benedict must certainly be employed in professions far superior to mine in the engineering discipline.


10 posted on 08/20/2004 9:03:14 AM PDT by WinMod70
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To: Right Wing Professor
While I've never seen an official policy to this effect, unofficially I'm sure many faculty do this at other schools.

Back in the 70's, we had a bunch of Iranians who were passed for less than that. I never understood then what the deal was (I do now) but all they had to do was show up to class once in a while, sit at the back, and try to keep from vomiting at the mere idea of being in America surrounded by infidels. I've been waiting to hear if some terrorist was a classmate.

11 posted on 08/20/2004 9:07:04 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn
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To: coconutt2000
"If I was one of those who handled the academics with the least amount of effort, I'd expect my A to stay an A."

Hmmmm. I never thought of that. But I would expect the 60-40 rule to only work for the benefit of the student.

Hard to believe that a professor would say, "Yes, you got a 100 on the paper, but since you're so smart and consequently made little effort, I'm going to knock that down to a 70% and give you a 'C'".

12 posted on 08/20/2004 9:15:42 AM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: Moose4
So, if they ask me what is the sum of 10 + 10, and I try SUPER hard and come up with the answer of 19....I PASS?!?!?! WTFW!!!
13 posted on 08/20/2004 9:18:27 AM PDT by houeto
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To: Moose4

In a way, what this policy is saying is that black students 50 years ago, who had segregated schools and the bare minimum spent on them, were better prepared for college than the students of today. How sad is that?


14 posted on 08/20/2004 9:18:55 AM PDT by NYCVirago
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To: robertpaulsen

Actually, I've been a victim of this policy in the past. The teachers are extremly liberal leaning who think effort is the basis for grades, and a lack of effort is sufficient for reducing a grade, regardless if you are otherwise doing well.


15 posted on 08/20/2004 9:23:13 AM PDT by coconutt2000
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To: Moose4

Under this system...

I would have graduated Manga Mango Sumo-Sumo Come Come Loady Loudy at least!


16 posted on 08/20/2004 9:23:45 AM PDT by razorback-bert
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To: Slings and Arrows

Nothing...but there was a Swinton there...wondering if its the same person.


17 posted on 08/20/2004 9:41:53 AM PDT by Tulane
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Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: coconutt2000
Please tell me you didn't go to med school.

"Sorry, Mrs. robertpaulsen, but I tried real good to save your husband".

19 posted on 08/20/2004 9:56:58 AM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: daumal
Um, there is a considerable body of evidence that suggests that this is the case. The cultural environment in black society was more refined 50 years ago, and the expectation that black students perform at the highest level was widespread. White guilt, along with radical egalitarianism, has conspired to expect almost nothing from black students at all levels. This is also a reflection of the failure of secondary education--these students have been passed along for years. Bravo to both these courageous and principled professors; I hope they get picked up at a good conservative college and with full tenure.

Oh, I agree with that. I'm just saying that it's pretty sad that this is the case.

20 posted on 08/20/2004 10:56:26 AM PDT by NYCVirago
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