Are you smart? Before you answer that question, let me say that it depends. There is book smarts and street smarts.
In the corporate world, book smarts may serve you well. Although, in urban areas, street smarts may prove to be as valuable.
In many Westernized countries, society uses the grade point average to define a person’s intelligence or at the very least, the person’s potential.
Unfortunately, the traditional college system is in desperate need of change. The college experience is more than sports, parties, and social interest groups.
Many college courses aren’t stimulating or exciting, which could explain why more people are failing and dropping out. Grades are only a reflection of a person’s ability to remember course material to answer the exam questions.
There are exceptions like internships and collaborative projects, which use the same grading system to evaluate students. Although, is it the best way to evaluate students?
A grade doesn’t say much about the student’s aptitude and some schools have noticed that flaw.
Fortunately, there are several schools that are removing letter grades from their evaluation system to offer a better college experience.
New College of Florida
This relatively new college gained its independence after severing ties with the University of South Florida in 2001. It is a small, liberal arts college in Sarasota, Florida.
At this college, students don’t receive letter grades. Instead, they receive narrative evaluations from their professors about their performance.
Evergreen State College
This public liberal arts college is one of the oldest colleges that offer a non-traditional undergraduate curriculum.
At this college, students can design their own study path by studying several disciplines in a coordinated manner. The college also uses narrative evaluations instead of letter grades.
Prescott College
This private, liberal arts college is a non-profit organization with one of the smallest class sizes. The average class size can be as high as 14 and as low as 7.
Students fulfill their basic requirements in their first two years and then design their degree to finish their last two years. The college also uses narrative evaluations instead of letter grades.
Photo: Pixabay