Should Aspies be Graded on a Curve?

[buckyboy14]

I know that many Aspies struggle with some things such as critical thinking. I often see autistic people being graded on a curve due to their struggles; however, I think the struggles of some Aspies often fall on deaf ears because our autistic traits are much less noticeable. I have lots of trouble with "active reading," for example, due to my limitations with critical and symbolic thinking. Do you think Aspies should be graded on a curve as well in some areas?

 

[Geordie]

I survived grading on a curve for many years. But I also find it counter-productive.

If finances allow, I advocate homeschooling, where we can have the option to be graded on a test. We only need to 'pass' certain standardized examinations, if they are needed (especially SATs/ACTs, graded on curve but needed for reference in college entry, or GEDs). As an alternative, choosing schools with narrative evaluations would help the students better, as it reduces the 'numbers' to be compared against others.

I believe everyone has their strengths, even if they're almost always in the bottom 10% of classes.

If not, I am not a fan of grading on the curve.

 

[Simply a Bibliophile]

I was told when I expressed interest in being diagnosed that being graded on a curve would be one "perk".

I was horrified. I've always worked very hard in my classes and have gotten all As, all my life. I did not want to have that achievement marginalized (at least in my mind!) by having people mess with my grades because I had a diagnosis of some sort. It was definitely a "woah, woah, woah" kind of moment for me. The same goes for the SATs and ACTs. I'm going to do just fine on them without help, and I don't want any kind of extra time or extra points. I want to score high by my own merit, and because AS has not impaired me in any way academically, (in fact, looking at my one sibling, who doesn't have AS, I believe it's helped rather than hindered me) moreover, I don't believe it would be in any way fair.

For people with more severe AS, though, I think private and charter schools are the way to go, so that there is flexibility and accommodation rather than just the mysterious mass that is "Special-Ed" in public schools. They are the ones that deserve a curve. I certainly don't need one nor deserve one.

 

[Spinning Compass]

First of all, what is the purpose of grading on a curve? I've never understood the practice. Also, as with many other well-intended things (think affirmative action), it can backfire on the very people it is supposedly designed to help. It becomes just one more thing to single us out and stigmatize us. It is also not a very good preparation for life in the work world.

I have never heard of an employer who evaluates "on the curve." If you've been getting by "on the curve" at school you are going to have a rude awakening when it comes to the workplace. Each employee stands or falls on his or her own. One superior worker is not going to pull up a worker who is performing at a lesser level.

 

[2wheels4ever]

First of all, what is the purpose of grading on a curve? I've never understood the practice. Also, as with many other well-intended things (think affirmative action), it can backfire on the very people it is supposedly designed to help. It becomes just one more thing to single us out and stigmatize us. It is also not a very good preparation for life in the work world.

I have never heard of an employer who evaluates "on the curve." If you've been getting by "on the curve" at school you are going to have a rude awakening when it comes to the workplace. Each employee stands or falls on his or her own. One superior worker is not going to pull up a worker who is performing at a lesser level.

I've never understood what the 'curve' is myself. It would reason that a curve goes against rigid thinking. It's already vague enough that there is an autism spectrum; you either have it or you don't