Re Bob's post (linked to a post on Heavy Lifting) about the college in SC that now gives grades based on effort:

1. Even if one accepted effort as a legit grading criterion, would this not be impossible to implement? For example, it would seem to require that a prof monitor his students' activities 24/7 in order to record any effort they might exert. A prof. can't spend the night in, say, 30 different dorm rooms (and just imagine the other problems that would result if he did).

2. What about students who are naturally gifted and do A quality work with little effort? If the business about grading on the basis of effort were taken seriously, it would seem that these students ought to receive a grade of C. Somehow one doubts that the president or students of Benedict College would tolerate this outcome. (Hat tip: This thought came to me via a colleague who prefers to remain anonymous rather than receive the credit he is due.)