Final answer:
Factors such as work ethic, study habits, and support systems are crucial in determining student performance in college, as seen in Manuel and Jarrett's situations. Social class can also have a significant impact, influencing a student's access to resources and ability to dedicate time to academics. Analyzing GPAs with statistical measures and grading systems reveals contextual details about a student's performance and how it may affect their motivation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering Manuel's situation, where he consistently performed well in high school and continued to achieve high grades in college, it can be said that he likely has a combination of a strong work ethic, good study habits, and innate ability. In Jarrett's case, despite the initial C- on his first test, after using resources like an academic success center and developing a better study schedule, he improved his grades, demonstrating the impact of effective study strategies and support systems. However, one must consider the situational factors discussed, such as a student from a lower socioeconomic background who may struggle due to external responsibilities and lack of resources, indicating that social class can affect educational fulfillment. These scenarios illustrate how varying factors impact student performance, which is not solely based on individual merit, but also on access to support and resources, and how these factors can result in different grades.
Additionally, the comparison of Ricardo and Anita's GPAs is an example of how statistical measures, such as standard deviations and percentiles, can provide additional context to understand a student's academic standing within their institution, beyond mere GPA. Lastly, the impact of grading systems on student motivation and perception is highlighted, with a shift to a collective grading system potentially affecting how students view success and their drive to perform individually well.