The drive for success in today’s world has become extremely competitive to the point where it’s damaging students’ mentalhealth. With colleges like Harvard having an acceptance rate of 3 percent and UC Berkeley having an 11 percent acceptance rate,being a well-rounded student just doesn’t work anymore.
One of the major contributing factors to students’ increased anxiety and overall decrease in mental health is something a lotstudents use every day–the open gradebook.
Open gradebooks can be found in apps like Schoology and PowerSchool, where students and parents can track their grades in real time. Through these apps, students can stay up to date on assignments and assessments, with full transparency between the teacher and student.
Positive factors are that it helps build awareness and communication between teachers and students. Also, students can become more accountable having a real time grade tracker.
But, it can cause some students and parents to obsess over schoolwork.
While some students see missing work as simply another task to complete, for others, the word “missing” next to an assignment is a stress inducing moment.
On top of this, a parent or guardian might nag the student about this assignment until it’s finally shown as complete inPowerSchool.
The fear of getting a bad grade is starting to catch up to students. Losing sleep, being anxious, and even developing depression are just a few effects that this strenuous cycle of keeping up and trying to become the “perfect student” has caused. Along with that, some students and parents with access to an open gradebook feel empowered to haggle for grade changes, which can cross boundaries with teachers and create even more stress for students.
The range of emotions fluctuates with the grades. The expectation of straight A’s haunts parents and students, as high grades are now seen as a necessity for their future, not an academic goal.
While pressure can be crucial in motivating students, pushing them to work harder, it can also be anxiety-inducing. One solution could be to remove percentages from being visible on Schoology and PowerSchool, to reduce nitpicking between letter grades.
Additionally, not making the grades available via an app, where anyone can access them on a phone or only having the gradebook open on Mondays would remove the constant access. Ultimately, though, students need relatable advice on how to deal with anxiety.
By implementing changes, students can feel empowered to learn without the pressure of anxiety surrounding their grades.
