[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape's grading may not be fair, but...

[The Crashing Boar]

No: HPFGUIDX 74931

From: Lee 
  <<<snip>>>If they were failing, they would have had to repeat first year, wouldn't they? And yet, according to the end of SS/PS, even Goyle manages to pass onto the next grade.

  Now, while people aren't doing spectacular in Snape's class, they aren't failing. Or we'd see people staying behind. Or is the English School system one that allows failed students to continue to the next grade "anyways" because I've been in that kind of system and its very flawed. <<snip>>>>

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  We don't have 'grades' the same way that the USA has, but once we get beyond 'primary' level (the first six years) we are more likely to be 'streamed', so that we take specific lessons with others of our own general age and ability.  It is possible to be held back a year, or even put up a year, but it is rare.  It also means that if someone has a change in their ability during an academic year, they can be shifted up or down in the streams. This happened to me - as an undiagnosed and fairly mild dyslexic, I had little problem with words, but a great deal of trouble with numbers.  When I transfered from my primary scholl, I was rated as marginally above remedial in Maths, and placed in the lower of four streams in that subject.  Two terms and a slightly different teaching regime saw me move up two more levels. As I understand it, my poor maths skills would have had me repeat the whole 'grade' in America.

  Dawn


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