British Teachers Propose Replacing the Word "Fail" with "Deferred Success"

[SteverinoNY!]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/education/4697461.stm

Well, I never thought we would sink to this point, but the British school teachers are now saying that the word "fail" is detrimental to students' desire to learn and should be replaced with "deferred success." I have never heard such a ridiculous concept in my life. When you do not meet the standards of a task, you have not deferred your success in that task, you have failed to complete the requirements of that task.

If our young people do not learn how to deal with failure (and high school is an appropriate age to learn this), how will they ever cope with this in the world of work?

I think this is a horrible decision and is just going to make our young people softer and weaker than they already are.

I suppose its good for me, however, entering the mental health field in school counseling, when I have a line of crying students because they achieved "deferred success" or they are griping about a teacher being insensitive because they did not "pass."

[IDrinkaRum]

I, for one, really hope it doesn't pass.

As Ms. Kelly, the Education Secretary says, Children need to learn how to work through the disappointment of "failing." So they failed a test. What did they do wrong and how can they improve their chances for getting a better score on the next test?

That's what kids in school need to learn. No hand holding. No "deferred success".

If this happens in America, I'm seriously thinking of pulling my daughter out of school and home schooling her.

[Greenday]

That was actually four years ago in 2005. I remember it when it happened. It's all part of that no one can lose or fail because it'll hurt their learning or feelings. I'm pretty sure losing and failing are big motivators to work harder.

[DesignFox]

I think we should just go back to the dark ages where everyone got their feelings hurt and the response when you cried, was "suck it up and stop being a pansy".

Ok, maybe not. But we've flown way past the middle ground here.

Kids don't need coddling. They need to fall flat on their faces a few times. Trust me, they'll learn. Sometimes, the hard way is the only way.

[gremcint]

People need to fail in an environment designed to help them recover. Due to a long and boring story I nearly flunked out of my first college, I managed to pass but that expereince caused me to change a few things and I started new at anoter college and not only did well but actually got the highest marks in my class.

If they fail now they learn there are consequeces before those consenquences become life damaging.

[Nyoibo]

It needs to be said about that idea


FAIL!

[DesignFox]

nyoibo- the article is on failblog. lol

[jackfaire]

This is like all the "competition is bad" arguments.

[tropicsgoddess]

That's like handing out participation medals or trophies to the losing team in a little league game.

[jackfaire]

That's like handing out participation medals or trophies to the losing team in a little league game.

There is a certain age (Tball) where I can understand that because they are just learning the mechanics of the game and for them it's not a lot of skill but just learning how to play.

After that age though skill should become important otherwise why teach our children at all just let them play until they are 18 then they can go work whatever job they want.

[Fryk]

Do the people suggentsing this really think these kids are that stupid? Give it a few months at best, and "deferred success" will mean the same things to them as "failure". No matter what you call it, it's stil "not passed," and nothing will change.

[DesignFox]

That's like handing out participation medals or trophies to the losing team in a little league game.

lol I totally agree.

Little kids, like 4 and 5, I can see giving participation trophies to. While they are young and just learning the mechanics, it should be about the fun. Part of the fun sometimes is coming away with a bit of ribbon or trophy to show off.

After a certain point though, the kids need to learn that it isn't all about the trophy, and that in the "real world" not everyone can win all the time.

I see them do stuff like that at horse shows. When the kids are real little and just learning, I think it's great that they all get a pat on the back. Once they are old enough to understand the difference, it's time to teach them sportsmanship...and yes, that means letting them fail and go home empty handed once in awhile.

That being said, one of the shows I was at, the judge was a nice soul even to the adults. Classes in the hunter shows I attend generally pin out to 6th place. There were 7 of us in the class... We had a "tie" for 6th. I thought it was cute, especially since it was a division specifically for adults just starting out. Since then, I have on one occassion had the misfortune of being number 7 in the division and being the only person to finish without a ribbon...LOL! It kinda sucks when it happens, but, you get over it (and ride better next round, so it doesn't happen again!)

[Nyoibo]

Usually with horse shows a tie for a ranking just means the one above it isn't awarded eg. 1st, 3rd, 3rd, 4th and so on, methinks judge was a little softy.

[blas87]

K, this is just as bad as calling toilet paper "bath tissue".....

I mean really, call it what it is. Please.

Asswipe, failure.....nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone has to wipe their butt, and everyone is bound to fail at something.

[Fryk]

So long as they don't fail at wiping their ass...