Graphic by Lucia Baring-Gould
Mert Gorgun
News Reporter
Students work, study, and push themselves to get a good grade. The pressure is always on to receive a glowing report card, but the prized result is an ‘A.’ Some teachers use number grades and others use percentages, but the letter grade—which is shown on a report card or transcript—is what is given the most attention at home and school.
An ‘A’ has become synonymous with success and mastery of a topic over time. At the same time, some students feel the odds are stacked against them, feeling that an ‘A’ is a world away. But what does an ‘A’ mean, and what is it?
For many teachers, an ‘A’ is simply the mark given to a student who exceeds expectations. Although each subject has its own system and expectations, an ‘A’ should signify “excellence in or mastery of a skill,” says Mr. Reinstein, an English teacher at Newton South.
Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean perfection but instead implies that a student understands the topic and has the ability to execute a given task related to said topic.
It’s no secret that some students understand a topic better than others; a subject could be one’s forte and another’s difficulty. Does that mean that all students don’t have an equal chance of an ‘A?’
When asked this question, teachers responded by saying that as long as each student is placed at the appropriate skill level, every student should be able to get a good grade. “You need to be proactive and be in communication,” said Helena Alfonzo, a Spanish teacher here at South.
Grades are important in the long run, but stressing out over them does not benefit anyone. The main goal in school is to learn and improve. Trying one’s best in a class is the most valued effort for teachers. Getting a grade other than an ‘A’ does not mean failure; rather, it shows room for improvement. Anyone can get an ‘A,’ as long as they push themselves out of their comfort zone and do their best.
