Idiocracy in Action: Why “Grading for Equity” Fails Our Kids.

If you’ve never seen the movie Idiocracy, let me catch you up in one sentence:

It’s a satirical film where society has devolved into pure stupidity—led by the least capable, cheered on by the most ignorant. What once seemed like absurdist comedy now feels eerily familiar. Because when we lower standards in education, we don’t just fail the students—we fail the country.

As a former educator and professor, I’ve seen the slippery slope of “well-intentioned” policies firsthand. The recent proposal from San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), wrapped in the language of “Grading for Equity,” isn’t a solution. It’s surrender.

What Was Actually Proposed?

Let’s strip away the spin. Here’s what SFUSD wanted to do:

• Eliminate homework and attendance from grading

• Allow unlimited test retakes and assignment resubmissions

• Redefine the grading scale: 80% becomes an A, and 21% is considered passing

So essentially: Show up late—if at all. Don’t worry about homework. Fail the first test? Take it again. Get 21%? Still pass.

It’s a masterclass in lowering expectations under the guise of compassion.

The Backlash Was Immediate—and Justified

This wasn’t a left-right issue. Parents, teachers, and even progressive leaders like San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Rep. Ro Khanna pushed back hard. Why? Because everyone with a brain knows:

When you eliminate expectations, you eliminate results.

When you eliminate structure, you eliminate growth.

And to their credit, the backlash worked. SFUSD backed down—for now.

Let’s Call This What It Is: Educational Malpractice

Labeling this “equity” is not just dishonest—it’s dangerous.

This isn’t about helping students rise. It’s about letting them coast.

And what happens when they reach the real world? When colleges or employers expect discipline, accountability, and excellence?

Here’s the message we’re sending:

“Don’t try. Don’t care. We’ll carry you anyway.”

This isn’t compassion. It’s condescension.

And worst of all? It targets the very kids it claims to protect. The ones who need strong role models, high expectations, and a roadmap to success are instead being handed a watered-down version of achievement that will collapse the moment they leave the classroom.

So What Should We Do Instead?

Conservatives aren’t against supporting struggling students—we’re against lying to them. Here’s what real solutions look like:

1. Targeted academic support — after-school tutoring, summer academies, and mentoring that meets students where they are.

2. Strengthening teacher training — not with woke seminars, but with real pedagogical strategies that improve mastery and engagement.

3. Holding parents accountable — education is a partnership, not a babysitting service.

4. Using data responsibly — identify where students are falling behind and intervene early—with real structure, not grade inflation.

Final Thoughts: When We Lower the Bar, We Lower the Nation

Kids are smarter than we give them credit for. They know when adults are going through the motions. They know when grades don’t match effort. And they absolutely know when they’re being set up to fail.

If Idiocracy taught us anything, it’s that once standards erode, rebuilding them is far harder than defending them in the first place.

Equity doesn’t mean giving everyone a trophy. It means giving everyone a chance to earn one.

And that’s what we should be fighting for.