Write for an Academic Discussion

A professor has posted a question about a topic and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.

Your professor is teaching a class on education policy.

In your response, you should do the following.

• • Express and support your opinion.
• • Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor’s question:

In higher education, we're seeing a debate between traditional letter grading (A, B, C) and a pass/fail system. Proponents of pass/fail argue it reduces student anxiety and encourages academic exploration without the pressure of maintaining a high GPA. However, opponents claim that letter grades provide essential feedback and motivate students to achieve excellence. Which system do you think is more beneficial for student learning and development overall? Why?

Student response 1:

I strongly support the pass/fail system because it lowers unnecessary stress on students. When students are not so worried about a single grade affecting their GPA, they are more likely to explore challenging subjects outside their major. As a result, the focus shifts from grades to genuine learning.

Student response 2:

I believe traditional letter grades are more effective. While pass/fail might seem less stressful, letter grades offer clear, specific feedback that helps students understand their performance. Furthermore, these grades are crucial for things like graduate school applications, so they provide an important incentive for students to do their best.