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I'm a community college teacher and a member of the Board of Regents for my system wanted to make our pay dependent upon how many people pass the class. I was

I'm a community college teacher and a member of the Board of Regents for my system wanted to make our pay dependent upon how many people pass the class. I was praying that his proposal went through. We get pressure all the time to increase student success. There's no real push to make sure people know what they are supposed to know. The administration just wants a high passing rate. Every year my tests get easier. I let people turn in late work. I give retakes on tests. I'm getting to the point where I just want to give everyone an 'A' and not give any homework or tests.

auxbuss 16y ago
Of course, you're adapting your behaviour to the the metric by which you're assessed. Any rational person can determine that the metric is the wrong one. Except it isn't because the stated goal is to pass as many students as possible. Probably because that is how the rewards up the chain are determined, and because there are school league tables whereby the further up the table you sit the more funding you receive. Or something like that. Extrapolating your current course of action will result in you simply passing all students simply for signing up for the course. No need to attend. No need for the course. Job done. When setting metrics it is critical to ensure that they provoke the wanted behaviour. In reality, they very rarely do. Determining people's behaviour is trickier than it looks. For a good alternative, take a look at John Seddon's work and his System Thinking ideas.
- yequalsx 16y ago
  Well, yes the metric is a bad one and has very bad consequences. But I'm not in a position to fight it. It's a fait accompli at this point. I've lodged my complaints with my superiors and will continue to lower my standards. Society - via our elected and appointed leaders - wants passing grades. They sign my paycheck so that's what they'll get.

auxbuss 16y ago

Of course, you're adapting your behaviour to the the metric by which you're assessed. Any rational person can determine that the metric is the wrong one. Except it isn't because the stated goal is to pass as many students as possible. Probably because that is how the rewards up the chain are determined, and because there are school league tables whereby the further up the table you sit the more funding you receive. Or something like that. Extrapolating your current course of action will result in you simply passing all students simply for signing up for the course. No need to attend. No need for the course. Job done. When setting metrics it is critical to ensure that they provoke the wanted behaviour. In reality, they very rarely do. Determining people's behaviour is trickier than it looks. For a good alternative, take a look at John Seddon's work and his System Thinking ideas.

yequalsx 16y ago
Well, yes the metric is a bad one and has very bad consequences. But I'm not in a position to fight it. It's a fait accompli at this point. I've lodged my complaints with my superiors and will continue to lower my standards. Society - via our elected and appointed leaders - wants passing grades. They sign my paycheck so that's what they'll get.