Making the Grade

Lawrence Hodges would rather imagine secret formulas and invisible agents than finish his science homework. His mother refuses to take him to the Barclays’ celebration until the work is complete. Lawrence complains that scientific terms are boring and that school teaches information nobody needs, but Mrs. Hodges is both his mother and a teacher. She insists that he finish before joining the party.

The Barclays are celebrating George’s acceptance into seminary, his new part-time church job, and Mary’s pregnancy. George’s classes begin the following week. Mary is already experiencing unusual cravings, absentmindedly putting ketchup on chocolate cake and asking for pickles, while the family jokes about the adventures ahead.

Outside, Jimmy tells George that career day has forced him to think seriously about his future. He wants to become a paramedic, ride in an ambulance, and keep injured people alive until they reach a hospital. Lawrence enthusiastically supports the plan without knowing what a paramedic is. Jimmy hopes his school counselor will be equally encouraging.

The counselor, Ms. Clare, builds a computerized profile comparing Jimmy’s grades with the qualifications he will need. She also arranges a field trip to the fire station, where paramedic trainer Steve Isaacs will speak with interested students. Jimmy is excited and begins practicing CPR techniques from a book, assuming first aid procedures are the main preparation he needs.

Lawrence visits to ask for help with science, but Jimmy admits that he is also poor at the subject. Both boys agree that math, science, and much of school seem like wasted time. Lawrence argues that Jimmy is learning paramedic skills in his bedroom without school and can succeed without studying subjects he dislikes. Jimmy is too busy preparing for the fire-station visit to notice the contradiction.

At the station, Steve explains that paramedics carry serious responsibilities and require far more than knowing CPR or riding in an ambulance. During Jimmy’s individual meeting, Steve reads his academic profile and points to his weak math and science grades. He rapidly asks Jimmy how to calculate a pulse, convert pounds to kilograms, explain low blood pressure, and distinguish the pain caused by different burns. Jimmy cannot answer.

Steve does not tell him to abandon his goal. Instead, he explains that each question involves knowledge that may save a life. Jimmy’s education now is directly connected to the work he wants to do later, just as education matters to anyone preparing for a profession. Jimmy leaves embarrassed and discouraged.

At dinner, he says that Steve made him feel like a child fascinated only by ambulance sirens. Jimmy decides to find a different career, but Donna quickly names the school subjects needed by lion tamers, pilots, and bus drivers. George sees that Jimmy has received a painful dose of reality, not necessarily proof that he chose the wrong dream.

George later joins Jimmy in the laundry room. Jimmy admits that he never expected classroom lessons about numbers, bodies, and burns to matter outside school. Since he dislikes math and science, giving up seems easier than improving. George explains that an important goal often requires doing necessary work whether or not it feels enjoyable. That is where discipline begins.

George understands because he is returning to school after many years. He is nervous about seminary classes in subjects he does not yet understand and does not expect to enjoy every assignment. Still, he wants to become the best minister he can be. He must discipline himself to learn, and the effort will shape his character as well as prepare him for service.

Jimmy decides that he has treated school too casually. Whether or not he ultimately becomes a paramedic, he should take math and science seriously and work harder to recover the time he has lost. George worries that admitting his own dislike of some schoolwork makes him a poor example, but Jimmy values his honesty.

Remembering what he told Lawrence, Jimmy visits the Hodges home. Lawrence expects him to defend their belief that school is pointless. Instead, Jimmy admits he was wrong. Subjects they dislike may be essential later, and the discipline of learning matters now. Since Jimmy needs to catch up and is older, he offers to tutor Lawrence while relearning the material himself.

Mrs. Hodges gladly approves. Lawrence is dismayed that his only ally has become his tutor, but he agrees. He tries to begin with another imaginary battle against Destructo agents, and Jimmy firmly redirects him: homework comes first.