Behind the veil

Philosopher John Rawls wrote that standards of justice can be formulated behind a "veil of ignorance."  The premise being that fairness is the product of a universal empathy for what is right.  Justice is what human beings decide it to be when they are ignorant of their own condition.  The man lost at sea does not know where land lies.  He therefore must rationalize what land must be like. 

Rawls "Theory of Justice" and the establishment of an equitable grading system are analogous.  A fair system makes no assumptions as to methodology or placement.  Favorable results should take measure of each achievement as indicative of academic success.  However, success can prove a nebulous constraint.   We are not measuring finite ingredients. 

One student receives a grade of 90 another 70.  Their answers are the same only their approaches, methodologies differ.  The 90 student took a traditional approach.  The topic was analyzed, considered and a proper conclusion drawn.  Water was taken directly from the well.  The second student committed to a more personal muse.  His answer was correct but failed to meet defined testing criteria.  He did not draw from the established well.  He dug his own.

Increasingly we find the creative student, the one who thinks outside the box, penalized for his ingenuity.  This is especially true when considering mandated testing.  There are ways to do things.  Standards of development are established, results calculated on rubrics and tables.  I would agree that to some this is a highly effective approach.  Certain students possess the natural abilities required to understand rigid steps and pronouncements. What of the mind that floats free, in the same direction but by its own compass? 

Students should be judged not only by their analytical skills but also by an ability to improvise.  A 90 grade often speaks to planned results rather than the form and fashion used to get there.  Everyone has a bit of Picasso in them.  Let a young man fly and he will find his way.  We need a reconsideration of testing protocols and procedures.  Granted class sizes are high, time constraints pervasive.  Creating a proper student grading system remains a dilemma, difficult and complex.  The rules of the game are constantly changing, but it is the only game in town and win it we must.  Robert Frost wrote that "education is the ability to listen to almost anything." Why not?