“I agree that it's connected to the K-12 experience, where it's in the school's best interest to have grades as high as possible because of No Child Left Behind and other ranking systems. Pupils are led to believe that there's almost always an extra "bonus point" assignment to boost their grades, or that 100 percent is the normal grade in classes like gym or music. The effort to push students towards 100 percent in K-12 leads to severe disappointment when a student hits college and learns that there really are differences in ability, and that those differences are noted in the grading scheme. It's a heterogeneous world, and K-12 experience obscures that these days because it teaches students either: a)that participation and effort earn an A; or b) that bonus points will make up any discrepancies.”— djl, NY