Schools began taking on family roles, AIDS education, and lots of similar functions. I think that all of this sounds good, but it has a bad outcome. There's such a thing as pandering to the idea of self-esteem. It's best for them to be told realistically, 'This is where you stand now. I don't understand how this can happen when students are doing group work, and final products are signed by everyone.
Teachers often say that all the kids did equally well.
What I've witnessed is that the more eager, energetic kids do almost all the work. The people who don't contribute get equal credit, and the system then gives them a false sense of confidence. The kids who get used really don't like it. If there is such a teaching style where grades are being distributed equally regardless of work done, it isn't right. I believe for detracking to work, we need a new generation of teachers.