Should bulletin boards only post mistake-free work?

YES
There is nothing wrong with aiming high in class
By Beverly A. Hill

In today’s world, good is not enough. Students begin to understand that when their studies take place in buildings where only perfect work is exhibited on classroom bulletin boards, in the hallway and in other public spaces. Schools that hold to this high standard—a policy where only mistake-free work is displayed— are meeting their fundamental mission to prepare students for productive, rewarding lives.

Some educators believe the mistake-free bulletin board policy is too rigid; they say it makes bulletin board displays an ongoing source of frustration for many students who come up short by only one or two red marks. For these critics, I would ask if they are any less demanding in their personal lives.

Consider being under the care of a physician who is charged with making life-or-death decisions for either you or your child. Would you demand “passable” care in this situation or would you demand the best? Remember, you only live once!

What if you were accused of a crime you did not commit. Would you retain an attorney who, when it comes to presenting your defense, promised you that he would make “only one or two mistakes—three tops” in presenting your defense? Or how about your mechanic? Is he really going to get your business if you know that he only messes up brake line repairs every now and again?

Airline pilots, engineers, airline mechanics ... the list could go on and on, and the point is simple. People who worry that students will be frustrated by a mistake-free policy on bulletin boards need to remember that they demand that much—if not more—from the adults they deal with every day. Shouldn’t students at a minimum be taught that the standards and stakes in the real world are set high, that “good enough” is almost never good enough in life?

Further, bulletin boards are a reflection of a school itself when parents and others visit the building. Public schools all too often are charged with harboring “soft expectations” for some students while maintaining high standards for others. It’s an unfair charge that infuriates classroom teachers—we know these charges usually are leveled by the same groups that habitually ignore vast social problems which place millions of students at risk.

The last thing we, as educators, should do is feed into this myth of soft expectations by displaying “good enough” student work beside exemplary work. Our bulletin boards should make it clear to all visitors that they are in a school which demands nothing but the best from every student.

Beverly A. Hill is an AFT member and teacher at O. Perry Walker Charter High School in New Orleans.

NO
It's more important to recognize hard work
By Anita W. Dennis

Why do teachers display students’ work on their classroom bulletin boards and along school walls and hallways?

Is it to glorify and praise the students whose work is flawless while ignoring the students whose work is considered unacceptable? Is it to flaunt those “zero error” papers in the faces of students who tried their hardest on the assignments, yet fell short of perfection? Is it to tear down the self-esteem of a special education student who is included in a general education classroom, affecting that student in such a way that he or she doesn’t want to attempt any other assignments in that classroom, or in school, for that matter?

These questions need to be raised at a time when so many schools have adopted policies that limit the space on classroom and hallway bulletin boards only to the display of mistake-free student work. It’s a policy that runs contrary to what my years in the classroom have taught me: Teachers should not display only perfect work on their bulletin boards; they also should make an effort to exhibit a variety of students’ efforts.

Placing student work on the classroom bulletin board is a reward to students for their hard work and effort. Even though all student assignments may not be displayed in a given week because of limited space, teachers should reward all students at some point by posting their work on the bulletin boards and walls in the classroom.

In my own classroom, I have gone so far as to display all of my students’ work on the walls for everyone to see. This encourages them to feel proud and motivates them to do other assignments. Displaying their work lets students know that I appreciate their efforts and acknowledge their achievements.

The papers I have posted are graded for originality, content and structure; the grades have ranged from A to C. When the work is put up for all to see, it is an acknowledgment that the students took the assignment seriously enough to put forth genuine effort and do their best. It’s what I demand of all my students, and my display policy reinforces my expectations in the classroom. It is also a boost to students’ self-esteem. It offers motivation and encouragement—not only to the students whose work is posted—but also to other classmates to continue to do their best.

Is it fair to deny preschoolers and kindergarten students the opportunity to see their colorful creations on display, simply because they colored outside the lines? Is it fair to deny a high school freshman the opportunity to see his or her biographical report on the life of a personal hero on display, simply because it contained a few spelling errors or grammatical mistakes?

When I put up a student’s work for others to see, I am complimenting the student for completing the assignment; I am motivating others to want to have their work on display; and I am giving credit to students for working up to their capabilities. Isn’t that what good teaching is all about?