<p>I have to confess to being literally stunned by MiamiDAP’s post #47. Not only does it completely misrepresent what I said–I NEVER said that my son was working hard as he could, and specifically said he didn’t study for tests and rewrite papers to the degree of some of his classmates–but it completely misrepresents the grading system in many/most high schools/colleges in this country by taking what he/she claims to be his/her daughter’s example and nationalizing it. It is NOT the case that any really smart kid can get a 4.0 if they only “complete all homework assignments as good as possible.” It is NOT the case that high school programs in the US “are of much lower academic levels than most other countries, including underdeveloped countries in Africa”–we’ve hosted exchange students in our home, and my work puts me in contact with parents of school age children from many other countries, and sorry, no. There are things we can do to improve the educational system, and there are some really bad schools here (as there are everywhere). The global bashing of US education though, based on a single experience, is just wrong.</p>
<p>I appreciate the help that those who have participated in this thread and privately messaged me have provided. I do not appreciate my request for advice being used as a sounding board for someone who wants to bash my kid, the educational system in general, or any student who doesn’t get straight As, whether at the high school or college level, based on nothing other than a single claimed anecdotal experience.</p>