Unwarranted Credit

United States
March 15, 2013 10:36am CST
In the course of this years PTA events, I have noticed some changes in the approach to 'incentive' based activities... An example: we hold an event for reading, the kids and parents commit to reading up to 20 minutes extra a day for a week, the parents log the books, times and submit logs. The progress is tracked with tiered 'mentions' via a posterboard - honorable, bronze, silver and gold trophys based on the time logged...at the end of the 6 weeks, metals are given to the children. An excellent event, great for encouraging the kids to read, the parents to be involved, a healthy competition, a GOAL for all involved. We are seeing logs come thru that teachers are logging in class. We are seeing logs come thru with books that are issued for homework. We are hearing "ALL students should recieve a medal for reading." I have an issue with this, and was wondering if I'm off base, or if anyone else feels this way... I feel, since it's an incentive based activity, the children should be doing MORE than is required... Those books they read in class and the books sent home for homework are not above and beyond what is expected on a normal, day to day basis. There are children who are goal oriented and are reading 20 minutes a day MORE than what they read in school, MORE than is issued for nightly homework - all in the name of achieving a GOAL. Why should a child recieve a metal for only doing what is required in any normal day? I feel like this is further enforcing that 'self-entitlement' complex we see so much... it's not teaching the kids to strive for more, to beat their best, to achieve more... it's unfair the the kids who do work hard... But at the same time, ANY reading is better than none, ANY positive reinforcment is good for the child...not all of the children have the support once they leave school, so the teachers are stepping up... I need some perspective - I DO realize that I may be taking this to seriously, too personal... but I am just so tired of seeing that spoiled, self-entitled attitude from parents and young kids. And I'm tired of seeing more and more kids not being held up to standards that other kids abide by. Be fair and honest, but be nice!
1 response
dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
17 Mar 13
I think that it is wrong that teachers are filling out the logs for the reading that is being done in class. However, if the parents are filling out the logs for the assigned reading that they are supposed to be doing outside the classroom then I actually think that is okay. The reason that I think this is okay is because I actually feel that a lot of children hardly ever do the reading that they are supposed to be doing outside the classroom so this is just added incentive for those children.
Raven7317
@Raven7317 (691)
• United States
18 Mar 13
Hi, thanks for the response. I don't know, I still think it's the same thing... it's taking credit where credit isn't due. It's cheating. The children's incentive for completing the assigned nightly reading is getting a mark for completed homework. I just think it's unfair... but I also think it's something I am taking too personal - I shouldn't be worried about what other parents are doing/teaching their kids... but I am! LOL I have to consider what my child is exposed to and figure out how to teach him right from wrong even as he's surrounded by so many kids who are getting the wrong lessons. And they are getting to the age where they can figure things out too, so it may not be ALL the parents doing, but... anyway, it's a principle thing to me I guess. Thanks for the response.