I became somewhat surprised by the pressures placed on the students in my high school English classes primarily by their parents. It seemed that most parents wanted and expected their children to receive an A or a B. Now we all know that the good Lord in his infinite wisdom did not create us all equal as far as intelligence is concerned anymore than we are all equal as far as physical appearance, as far as size or as far as the environment into which we are born. We’re all different and that's good. Not everyone could earn an A or B. But I felt that I had youngsters who earned the mark of C who were every bit as successful as some who received A's or B's.

However it seemed to me in those early years many parents considered both teacher and youngster a failure if an A or B was not received. Perhaps the teacher was too young and inexperienced but might improve in time. If the youngster received a C , the average grade in that particular system, oh that would be all right for their neighbors children all of whom of course were average but not for their own.

In my opinion a mark received in class is no more valid a way to judge the success of a student than scores validly determine the success of a sporting event. It may determine a winner but not necessarily success . . . I was concerned about my English students so I began searching for something that could help me become a better teacher and give my students a realistic goal or objective.