A

REPORT CARDS

SNUX

How students should be evaluated came under scrutiny during the 1950s. As curricula and teaching methods changed, so did the traditional method of grading: As, Bs, Cs, and so on. The newest fad in grading became known as SNUX, or Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. The change affected all grade levels and brought about a revolt by the parents who grew up with the traditional method.

Comparing Students

Parents and critics of the new system contended that a former "C" student would be considered "Satisfactory," undistinguished from the former "A" student. Some educators feared a drop in the natural competition between students which fosters learning. In addition, the new system also increased the amount of work for teachers who had to rate a student's ability in science and math as well as evaluating him or her in such new categories as "Ability to communicate" and "Ability to not spread disease." Critics were unsuccessful, however, and the new grading system continued well into the coming decades, especially at the elementary-school level.