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<\/a>ACCEPTING MEDIOCRACY IN ACADEMIA<\/strong><\/p>\nWhy has society lowered the ceiling of academic success?\u00a0 Why have our standards been lowered to ensure the graduation rate of our children?\u00a0 Are we not dumbing down our society if we lower our academic standards?\u00a0 Are we not developing a society of mediocracy?\u00a0 It is mediocracy that encourages a moderate and poor quality of performance. Are we not creating a society that just gets by with good enough.\u00a0 Good enough is unacceptable<\/em>.<\/p>\n In many aspects of our society, we no longer encourage children to dream, to thrive, and to achieve; rather we have become a society of mediocracy and complacency.\u00a0 Furthermore, we rarely seek to inspire, to encourage, to positively influence, or to spark an internal flame.\u00a0 We have become a society that has given up; accepting the notion that \u201cmediocracy\u201d is acceptable.\u00a0 I have yet to meet a high achiever who has allowed mediocracy to be an acceptable standard for his\/her life.<\/p>\n THE POLITICAL LOWERING OF ACADEMIC STANDARDS<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cEvery adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.\u201d In the past, having served as a political strategist<\/em> in Canada, and as a political aide <\/em>to a representative in the United States; allowed me to peek my eyes through the window of politics.\u00a0 It was through this window that I began to recognize how very interconnected the political machine was on the academic world.\u00a0 It has been through my work in politics, that I have had an unique opportunity to see behind the scenes of political evolution of academia.\u00a0 I would never have dreamt that the political climate of our day, would make acceptable any standard short of being our best.\u00a0 Many years ago, the United States Army ran an ad that emphasized an ideological approach to \u201cbe all that you can be.\u201d\u00a0 Are we encouraging children of this generation to be all that they can be?\u00a0 Or, are we encouraging children of this upcoming generation to simply be comfortable with a passing grade?<\/p>\n Rarely, do we consider the significance of our political system on the academic environment; but remember it is the political machine that funds the academic environment.\u00a0 If our funding is derived from the political machine, then is not the political beast responsible for our academic endeavors?\u00a0 Sadly, we give more thought to the latest stadium being erected than we do our children\u2019s academic futures.\u00a0 Likewise, as a society, we seek to avoid pointing fingers in the direction of our politicians, because this would make those in charge of our taxes and funding responsible for the decay of the minds of our children.\u00a0\u00a0 Now understand, I am not saying that the political beast is solely responsible for the demise of the academic environment, but I am saying that it is one cog in the wheel of decay.\u00a0 Nevertheless, if you are going to bring light to a dark environment, you must choose to shine the light on the environment you are in.\u00a0 Yet, we cannot forget that parents, teachers and the community at large are equally responsible for ensuring the success of our students.\u00a0 Raising a child is not a solo act; rather it does take a village to raise a child.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TEACHING INFLUENCE ON THE LOWERING OF ACADEMIC STANDARDS <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong>\u201cChildren have a lesson adults should learn, to not be ashamed of failing, but to get up and try again. Most of us adults are so afraid, so cautious, so ‘safe,’ and therefore so shrinking and rigid and afraid that it is why so many humans fail. Most middle-aged adults have resigned themselves to failure.\u201d Teachers and administers fear the psychological repercussions that failure may have on the mindset of a child.\u00a0 The academic establishment is so afraid of failure, that they have approved no-fail policies throughout Canada, the United States and throughout this global community.\u00a0 The no-fail policy is an epidemic of colossal proportions.\u00a0 It is this fear of failure that creates an avoidance of the truth, placing an emphasis on lies, fabrications, deception, and falsification.<\/p>\n Frustratingly, I have encountered secondary educational institutions that have a \u201cno fail policy.\u201d While the notion of a no-fail policy is generous in it\u2019s intentions; it is denying children the privilege of failure<\/em>.\u00a0 Failure and success are synonymous with their intent.\u00a0 When we fail, we create an open doorway for improvement, growth, and maturity; but only if we choose to allow our failure to prove a teaching tool.\u00a0 Furthermore, if we succeed, we have an opportunity to develop beyond our successes or achievement.\u00a0\u00a0 We should never settle for mediocracy.<\/p>\n Teachers have informed me that they fear that children will identify with their failure.\u00a0 It is only if we teach children that their successes and failures are representations of their character and personhood, then will they reflectively see any success or failure as their identity.\u00a0 Arguably, if we teach children that failure and success are mere challenges, then-and-only-then, can we instill that failure and success are not reflectors of their personhood.<\/p>\n The lowering of the academic standards does not allow for an opportunity for academic growth and\/or personal improvement.\u00a0 If students do not learn the relevance of failure while in school, then they will learn the heartache of failure later in life.\u00a0 Failure is capable of inspiring a child to perform better.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Without failure we cannot cherish our achievements and successes.\u00a0 If we are not granted the right of failure<\/em>, then we are denied the right to learn from our failures, mistakes, and errors in life.\u00a0\u00a0 Failure is neither a negative nor an absolute declaration of our identity or our lives.\u00a0 Failure develops our character and our personhood!\u00a0 When we fail, we should be motivated to work harder, seeking out the answers and solutions to solving our problems.<\/p>\n Failure is a perceptional outlook on a deed or act attempted<\/em>.\u00a0 Henry Ford <\/strong>said, \u201cThe only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.\u201d <\/strong>\u00a0Are we not denying our children the right to learn from their mistakes?\u00a0 For it is failure that pains the soul, but it is success that nourishes thy being.\u00a0\u00a0 Anyone who has had the right to fail has had the privilege of learning from their failures.\u00a0 Failure not only teaches us what we have done wrong, but informs us that there is a better solution or outcome to achieve success.<\/p>\n BE INSPIRED BY THOSE WHO HAVE FAILED, BUT HAVE CHOSEN TO LEARN FROM THEIR FAILURES \u201cLife is a combination of positive and negative choices.\u201d\u00a0 (Brown, 2010, p. 17)\u00a0 If we are allowed to reap the benefits of our successes and failures, then we will have a balanced outlook and perspective on our life.<\/p>\n ACADEMIC REPERCUSSIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong>\u201cThere is no failure except in no longer trying.\u201d “Success in today’s world is based on how much our kids know.\u201d (Martin, 2010, Online)\u00a0 Children will not strive to succeed if they are not encourage to perform at their ultimate best.\u00a0 In a global market that is constantly changing and becoming overwhelmed by the political errors; it is critically important that children are prepared for academic success!<\/p>\n As a professor, I have been so discouraged by the large body of academic leaders and professors who are insist\u00a0 that we pass students who have failing marks.\u00a0 In recent years, I had a discussion with a psychology professor who declared that \u201cthere are no original thoughts.\u201d\u00a0 Furthermore, this same professor informed me that he would never<\/em> fail a student, especially if they had placed a quote at the \u201cbeginning\u201d and \u201cend\u201d of their paper.\u00a0\u00a0 My argument is, if there is no such thing as an original thought, then how were Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak inspired to invent the Apple Computer, iPhone, iPad, etc?\u00a0 If we longer have an ability to manufacture original thoughts, then how do so many of the Fortunate 500 Companies develop neo-technologies that are constantly being placed on the market today?\u00a0 If there are no original thoughts, then why should we continue educating the students of today?<\/p>\n It is so frustrating to hear that a professor and\/or teacher\u00a0 \u201cmust\u201d pass\u00a0 students who cheat or fail to achieve a particular mark.\u00a0\u00a0 We are not only developing a society of mediocracy, but a society that is willing to pass students with questionable moral and ethical standing.<\/p>\n Please note:\u00a0\u00a0 While we are all susceptible to making egregious mistakes in life; it is less the mistake and more on how we handle the outcome of our mistakes.\u00a0 The repentance and the act of contrition.\u00a0 I have no doubt that we have all made mistakes in life; again, are we acting with due diligence to rectify our mistakes and errors in life?<\/p>\n It is a scary revelation that our society has become so complacent that we would encourage students to cheat, swindle, defraud, scam, dupe and fleece one another and the academic setting.\u00a0 As a professor, it has been discouraging to have students who have cheated, but it is more frustrating that the academic setting provides allowances and shelter for those who defraud the system.<\/p>\n Media mogul, Ted Turner of the Turner Broadcasting Corporation has experienced failures, losses, successes and triumphs, but has never found excuse to give up.\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. Turner finds comfort in a statement his father used to utter:\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSon (Ted Turner), you be sure to set your goals so high that you can’t possibly accomplish them in your lifetime.\u201d ~ Ed Turner (Father of Ted Turner).\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. Turner has expressed that this statement, alone, has been one of the major catalyst of his success.\u00a0\u00a0 Ted Turner has admitted that it has been the challenges in his life that have caused him to pursue excellence.<\/p>\n ARISE<\/p>\n \u201cI am not concerned that you have fallen – I am concerned that you arise.\u201d Our failures and successes are good!\u00a0\u00a0 Our failures and our successes help stimulate people to become better people.\u00a0 We should not wear our successes or our failures like merit badges, rather we should see them as mere learning curves in this game we call life.\u00a0 We are not alone in our failures or our successes; we are all on this same journey that we call life.<\/p>\n As a society, we should expect the best of our students, teachers, and administrators. \u201cSuccess in any meaningful endeavor is marked by a history of high expectations that provide the challenge and inspiration necessary to press the individual to his\/her highest level of performance.\u201d (Ozturk & Debelak, 2005, p. 1)\u00a0 Life is about encouraging growth, maturation and expansion of the mind, soul and body.\u00a0 It is the very act of striving to learn that we expand our minds, thus allowing them to become more complete and the breadth of our knowledge more extensive.<\/p>\n _____________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Author<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0 Dr. Asa Don Brown, Ph.D., C.C.C., N.C.C.M.<\/p>\n Website<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.asadonbrown.com<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n REFERENCES<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong>Brown, A. D. (2010) Waiting to live<\/em>, Bloomington, IN:\u00a0 IUniverse<\/p>\n C\u00f4t\u00e9, J. E., & Allahar, A. L. (2011) Lowering higher education: The rise of corporate universities and the fall of liberal education. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press<\/em>. Pages: 243<\/p>\n Martin, N. (2010) Survey fails no-fail policy.<\/em> Retrieved November 15, 2013, from\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.winnipegfreepress.com\/local\/survey-fails-no-fail-policy-81449367.html<\/a><\/p>\n Ozturk, M. A. & Debelak, C. (2005) Setting realistically high academic standards and expectations<\/em>. Retrieved November 16, 2013, from http:\/\/www.usca.edu\/essays\/vol152005\/ozturkrev.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Slobodian, A. (2012) No zeros case shows Alberta needs to set consistent grading policy. <\/em>Retrieved November 16, 2013, from http:\/\/www.calgarysun.com\/2012\/09\/12\/no-zeros-case-shows-alberta-needs-to-set-consistent-grading-policy<\/a><\/p>\n Smusiak, C. (2012) Why schools need to scrap the no-zero policy.<\/em> Retrieved November 16, 2013, from http:\/\/www.canadianfamily.ca\/parents\/why-schools-need-to-scrap-the-no-zero-policy\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\n~ Napoleon Hill<\/p>\n
\n~ Malcolm X<\/p>\n
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\n~ Elbert Hubbard<\/p>\n
\n~ Abraham Lincoln<\/p>\n