To the editor:

There’s time enough for our young people to learn that life is not fair, so let’s not break it to them just yet.

Quoting parent Randy Howe, who was a member of the Mehlville School District’s Grading Scale Review Committee: “And as you can see, we hold our students, in many cases, to a higher standard” that “puts our kids at a disadvantage.”

He’s right, of course, but isn’t this a sad truth that “higher standards” should result in “disadvantages” for our children?” Just think if that applied to your auto mechanic or to your doctor.

The two “disadvantaged” student members of the committee noted that the revised grading scale “would act as a motivating agent, especially for average and below-average students.” Wouldn’t it have the op-posite effect? On a 100-point test, they can now afford to miss five more questions.

(Incoming Superintendent) Tim Ricker assures us that the curriculum is still “set for high levels of academic achievement” and that “we’re just changing the reporting style.”

They are still going to teach the same stuff, but the students won’t have to learn as much of it to remain competitive with students in other school districts who don’t have to learn as much either.

Judy Rauh

Concord