No study for its own sake

Regarding the article "Deming: We've Been Sold Down the River on Competition," May 3: As a junior in high school, I feel it would be disastrous to remove our objective method of rating performances. If anything, we need a more uniform technique of evaluating students' progress. As in government and business, education must be able to analyze itself through objective means.

Grades allow students to set their sights on a target. It is unrealistic to expect students to set goals for themselves simply for the sake of knowledge. After responding to good grades, they will realize the benefit of knowledge as a tool for survival and success. Will Woodward, Seattle, Wash.

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