Grading students in their first year of postsecondary education ultimately does them a disservice, according to Rhonda N McEwen (Victoria University in the University of Toronto). McEwen notes that the importance of grades to postsecondary students is intensified relative to their primary and secondary education, resulting in many students choosing courses based on their “safety” rather than their actual interests. She says this system ultimately corrupts the purpose of postsecondary education, which is to strengthen curiosity and challenge oneself. McEwen proposes a pass/fail first year for students to allow for curiosity while also teaching students how to adapt to the postsecondary environment. Doing this, she says, will turn first year from a “sorting mechanism” into an education.
