Too many students move through elementary and most of high school without putting in much effort, because thanks to No-Fail, No-Zero school policies, no one is held back even when they’re not ready to move to the next grade.
When things do get harder in senior high school, parents will often advocate for higher marks from their children’s beleaguered school teachers. Many good teachers feel pressured to bring down their standards and expectations to keep the parents and the school administrators satisfied.
A relaxed school environment is pumping out high school graduates who are not prepared for the demands and rigours of post-secondary studies, let alone their future careers.
The 2016 National College Health Assessment survey performed by the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS), reported that within a 12 month time period, 18.4% of students were diagnosed or treated by a professional for anxiety, 14.7% for depression, and 13% of students seriously considered suicide.
Raising the bar on Canadian K-12 education benefits students, schools, and universities. It ensures that students are engaged and actively participating in their learning so that when they reach post-secondary, they have learned the key skills to be effective and independent learners.
