Blog Assignment #4: Grades

After 12 years of Social Democrat rule, the general election of 2006 gave Sweden a new government: the Centre-Right Alliance. Since then, the new government has introduced changes in many areas, including taxation, social security, defence, and education. One major reform that has attracted much media attention is the educational reform, especially the introduction of grades in primary school. Previously, Swedish school children did not receive grades until 8th grade—at the age of 14. In comparison with other European countries, this is remarkably late. Now, however, school children will receive grades in 6th grade, and schools may choose to give parents written reports of their children’s academic progress as early as in 1st grade. The proposal has not met with universal approval, though.

The supporters of this reform argue that parents have the right to be informed and that a laissez-faire attitude does not benefit the child. On this view, a child who does not receive sufficient feedback on their academic development and achievements is consequently often deprived of the necessary help and support while still young enough to benefit from it. However, if you catch the problems early, you can fix the problems early.

On the other hand, many people argue that children should be allowed to be children as long as possible. There is surely enough pressure on young people nowadays, the argument goes, without adding the extra burden of being graded on academic performance. Children’s sense of self is often connected to their achievements, and a child who learns early on that he or she does not perform adequately may never break free of that negative self-image. Is that really the legacy we want to leave our children?

The issue is complex but the ideology behind it is fairly simple—do grades build you up, or do they break you down? I would like to know where you stand on this issue. In your fourth blog assignment, I want you to argue for or against the grading of children in primary school. Give reasons, acknowledge any relevant counter-arguments and try to refute them—in short, try to write an argumentative text following all the guidelines we’ve discussed.

The deadline for this assignment is Sunday, 10 May.