In Defense of the Failed Grade

Whosoever said that a failed grade is a source of embarrassment, a cause for sadness and ironically a mark of failure must not have gone to the bottom line of what essentially learning should be.

The problem with schools, more often than not, is its mission of producing graduates who are of the same mold, same abilities and same perspectives, and the one who deviates from this expectation will surely receive a different treatment or a doubtful reception. Hence, when Mark Twain said, “I have never allowed my schooling to interfere with my education.” I could never agree more.

While education propelled the rise of leaders and workers, it never guaranteed the steady and smooth dynamics of society. In fact, the highly educated ones who come from reputable universities became guilty of the different forms of corruption and had themselves subjected to scrutiny by the public in terms of their ethics and professionalism.

Diplomas ensured us of work after graduation, but can they remind us that competence is not enough? Does the diploma have the power to make individuals good, if not excellent, practitioners of their professions? Is graduation a time when we are already prepared for life since there is work waiting? Upon graduation, are we finally departed from the truest meaning of education?

In real learning, on the other hand, there is no profession guaranteed, no piece of paper called diploma to be received, and no graduation scheduled to attend. Unfortunately, for the one who opts to learn, there is obviously no end. Worse, he or she might have gotten a failing grade after the semester.

Failure is an indispensable part of learning of which education has traditionally viewed as unacceptable. When people, or, human nature has taught them how not to err again, or at least, commit the same mistake for another time. Ideally, mistakes will teach us to be wiser, stronger and better individuals – the same thing with failures.

Nobody should be embarrassed for obtaining a failed grade. An embarrassment only means that one has not acknowledged the reality of imperfection in the world. If there is no room for failure, then such a space for perfect beings will be overcrowded. The utopian state is only exclusively imagined by Thomas More. He should be the only one covering the face for shame in conceiving the idea of an ideal society. Had society attained the idyllic state, then education was first to extinguish.

When students go to their teachers to express their sadness over a failed grade without asking themselves first why they got such grade, then the former only deserve the greatest gift from the latter. Teachers, in this case, are actually doing students great favor for awakening them from an egotistical slumber and making them understand that essential humanness in them. Teachers, who give failed grades, are extremely generous givers of learning that is not only authentic but also life-long.

It would take a lifetime, apparently, to persuade people to think that it is okay to obtain a failing grade, that a failing grade is not entirely a failure would cross the line of irony bordering to folly. Nonetheless, one should only see the many a valuable results from a seemingly problematic situation which is actually a golden opportunity.

Successful individuals always rise above the challenge and turn every problem into an opportunity. When they commit mistakes, they always ponder on a lesson. When they fail, they are motivated more to stand, to hold their ground and eventually to fly steadfastly.

Students who sulk over a failing grade have not seen yet the wonder of learning and not accepted yet their limitations as a student in particular and a person in general. Unless there is a great question on the basis for grading, students must remain rational and be never emotional in looking at their failed grades. They better ask themselves the hard-hitting question that often begetters the painful answer: Where did we go wrong? Was it not James Ingram who taught us a lesson or two on this?

Recently, I was questioned by a guardian of my students who obtained a failed grade from me last semester. The questions she raised were not only limited to my instructional delivery but went overboard my character as a person and competence as a professional. I was supposed to cry foul already but saw the bigger picture, and surveyed the whole forest than watching a singular branch of a tree.

I realized two things: That a failing grade has the power to strengthen the resolve of students to know and fight for their rights, and that a failing grade has the ability to make families be informed of the real academic performance and standing of their children.

I vow to stand my ground on the failing grade I gave. Only if they can prove to me that the failed grade caused them to fail, then I will be guilty of a broken vow.