I teach philosophy at a community college.

I have learned from my students that their high schools didn’t ever require them to read a whole book or write much of anywhere. They also didn’t teach them some essential computer skills.

Strangest of all, it is apparently a common practice to award a base grade of 50% on all assignments, even for missing work.

So, my introductory philosophy class, which I have designed to be very easy (you likely get an A for showing up, talking, and turning things in on time) ends up being more difficult than anything they’ve ever done in school so far because I’m asking them to read 10 or so pages a week and write around 500 words a week.