Recently Professor Steven D. Aird lost his job at Norfolk State University in Norfolk Virginia ostensibly for not meeting the university’s requirements for tenure. Though he had met the required research and teaching components, the administration was unhappy with his 90% fail rate in freshmen level classes, especially Chemistry and Biology.
At first glance, one might think that this Professor was just enjoying his position of power and failing students for the fun of it. But as more information comes to light, we find that most of his students don’t meet the attendance requirements set by the university: 80%. Professor Aird is available for after class help recognizing that many students need that additional hand up.
The deeper discussion is that students attending Norfolk State are not prepared for university. Norfolk State is an historically black college with many students that come from disadvantage backgrounds and do need additional help in meeting minimum academic standards. Norfolk State has a mission to help these students rise above their circumstances. But lowering the bar to pass students that don’t have the required competency will not help these students rise, they will stand still while the bar comes down to them.
As you work with doctors, lawyers, dentists, bankers, mechanics, and technicians, would you like to know that these folks met the bar or waited for the bar to come to them? To ensure quality work and a vibrant work force, minimum competencies are required. The most common way to verify these competencies is to test for them or require a certificate that indicates these competencies were met. If the certificate is given based on social necessity, what sort of guarantee does the customer have? We return to the wild west where anyone could hang out a shingle indicating they were a doctor, dentist, or lawyer and the customer took his chances.
What does this have to do with your children attending college? Sit them down and explain they will be required to meet a higher bar. The professors will help, but the student must approach the professor, it won’t be like high school where the teacher approaches the student. And the student won’t get progress reports indicating where their grade stands; students are responsible to track their own grades.
Classes will be harder; your child is learning new things. Attendance may not be mandatory (meaning the teacher may not require attendance as part of the grade, only the tests, quizzes, etc.). This is NOT a license to skip class. Your student still needs to learn the material to pass the tests.
Take some time this summer and lay out your expectations to your student. A college education is a significant investment and you want a good return on this investment.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.