Schools should eliminate letter grades for a pass/fail system

That doesn't mean anything. It's up to the students to strive hard and make the most out of their education. No one is making it impossible for them to read their text books on their own.

Then work harder? We can't squelch the success of one, just because someone fails. Sorry, this is the real world, not preschool where we care about each others feelings.
If you don't want an F, study. Top students should not be lumped with average students.

quote Tai Mack

You are VERY arrogant and ignorant

How am i arrogant or ignorant for saying that those who strive for excellence, should be recognized for it?

There is no such thing as a "dumb person", only those that have not opened their mind, or who refuse to work at it. Sure, some people are just "naturally better", but any amount of effort is better than raw ability. Natural ability won't get you anywhere if you don't utilize it. I've seen very average kids excel because they put their minds to the task and worked hard. Effort is all it takes. I don't feel bad for people from "tough situations", because i was handed a lot tougher lot in life than most. Especially those in first world countries.

What you fail to understand, is that recognition of excellence is all some of us have. I grew up well below the poverty line, there were times where i was completely homeless. The only reason i'm in college now, is because i worked hard in school and did my damn best, so that i could be recognized for my efforts. If it weren't for those scholarships that were awarded me because of my determination, i never would have gotten into any university, i could never have afforded it.

If you feel bad about your grades, work harder.

While an "A,B,C,D,or F" scale may offer some difficulties, it is still by far a more suitable measure of ability. Certainly, there are people like Koloth himself claimed to be, that are highly intelligent, but want to do the bare minimum of work. That's their choice, and they are allowed to make such choice. relatively speaking though, very few people do that. Some may have to work harder than others to earn A's, that's a given as people have varying strong and weak suites. However, that does not mean by any stretch of the imagination that we should equalize those who achieve at higher levels (through hard work or natural ability), to those who don't. The world is a competitive place, and you can't expect us all to be astronauts, chemists, or neurosurgeons. No, i want the excellent to be the astronauts, the chemists, or neurosurgeons. Your girl may be kind, but if she can't achieve the same level as those who do strive to be those things, than that's a failing on her part. not the systems.