Failing 40%

[Greg Nowell]

Some give up in despair.  But no one prof need fail 40%
for the failure rate to reach 40%.  That's because if
you generally get C's a couple of F's will drag you
below de minimis requirements for staying in.  I
haven't worked it out, but a student could flunk out
with say 2 Fs and 8 Cs.  he doesn't require 40% Fs.
So, we don't need to give out 40% Fs to have a 40% non
graduation rate.  But there are many reasons for non
completion.  People get jobs, get married, have kids,
don't see the point, etc.

In my 2nd year teaching one of my students appealed to
some appeals board his grade because I gave him a C-
instead of a C.  That .3 differentce (1.7 vs. 2.0) made
the mathematical difference between falling in the "get
kicked out" category vs. the "staying in" category.  A
classic example of marginal theory.  I got the blame
for the whole weight of his worse than lackluster
performance, because it was the last grade received.

--
Gregory P. Nowell
Associate Professor
Department of Political Science, Milne 100
State University of New York
135 Western Ave.
Albany, New York 12222

Fax 518-442-5298