> We’re so focused on grades because they are a believed to be an important part of the credentialing process for getting jobs.
Various colleges (ex: Reed, Brown) in the U.S. don't have grades. Their graduates do just fine, afaik.
In defense of grades, they are a good extrinsic motivator for learning boring subjects. Grades are a good consequence for phoning in it. I would probably have skipped reading most of the books I was assigned to read in school if there were no consequences, and would have ended up an (even) less educated person if not for grades.
Various colleges (ex: Reed, Brown) in the U.S. don't have grades. Their graduates do just fine, afaik.
In defense of grades, they are a good extrinsic motivator for learning boring subjects. Grades are a good consequence for phoning in it. I would probably have skipped reading most of the books I was assigned to read in school if there were no consequences, and would have ended up an (even) less educated person if not for grades.