Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post - In Law Schools, Grades Go Up, Just Like That

PedOncoDoc · 06-22-2010, 08:35

On a related note, what are everyone's thoughts on special permissions for students persuing advanced professional degrees - particularly law and medical degrees?

I offended a few of my "fellow" students while I was in medical school for implying that no special arrangements should be made for students with a learning disability or language issues. I felt that if you wanted to be a professional in a field where lifelong learning is mandated and audited - you should demonstrate the ability to perform at the same level as your peers. I followed it up with, "They wouldn't give me a head start in a running race so I could pursue my dreams of being a professional sprinter in spite of not being graced with exceptional sprinting speed." It is also my opinion that a student should have demonstrated adequate mastery of the primary language where they expect to practice their profession in the pre-admission screening regardless of their primary language. I believe this to be especially true in professions where communication and language interpretation are vital.

This does not reflect my opinions about undergraduate degrees which I feel should be achievable in spite of learning/language disadvantages should appropriate support be provided.

Thoughts?

ETA: Our medical school was pass/fail for the classroom component which removed the possibility of grade inflation and also lead to a more cooperative learning environment (people shared resources knowing that it may not jeapordize their class rank.)

Have any law schools adopted a Go/NoGo grading system?

06-22-2010, 08:35	#6
PedOncoDoc Area Commander Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northeast Utah Posts: 1,712	On a related note, what are everyone's thoughts on special permissions for students persuing advanced professional degrees - particularly law and medical degrees? I offended a few of my "fellow" students while I was in medical school for implying that no special arrangements should be made for students with a learning disability or language issues. I felt that if you wanted to be a professional in a field where lifelong learning is mandated and audited - you should demonstrate the ability to perform at the same level as your peers. I followed it up with, "They wouldn't give me a head start in a running race so I could pursue my dreams of being a professional sprinter in spite of not being graced with exceptional sprinting speed." It is also my opinion that a student should have demonstrated adequate mastery of the primary language where they expect to practice their profession in the pre-admission screening regardless of their primary language. I believe this to be especially true in professions where communication and language interpretation are vital. This does not reflect my opinions about undergraduate degrees which I feel should be achievable in spite of learning/language disadvantages should appropriate support be provided. Thoughts? ETA: Our medical school was pass/fail for the classroom component which removed the possibility of grade inflation and also lead to a more cooperative learning environment (people shared resources knowing that it may not jeapordize their class rank.) Have any law schools adopted a Go/NoGo grading system? __________________ ‎"The dignity of man is not shattered in a single blow, but slowly softened, bent, and eventually neutered. Men are seldom forced to act, but are constantly restrained from acting. Such power does not destroy outright, but prevents genuine existence. It does not tyrannize immediately, but it dampens, weakens, and ultimately suffocates, until the entire population is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid, uninspired animals, of which the government is shepherd." - Alexis de Tocqueville Last edited by PedOncoDoc; 06-22-2010 at 09:25.
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