So if you believe the school's consequences are too soft, you are perfectly free to discipline these kids at home. I was always much more afraid of my parents' punishments than the schools.

I would be so frustrated as a parent with that system! I don't want my child to be rewarded for mediocracy! I want them to strive to be their best. It is one thing if that was her best, but you believe she is capable of so much more, she just isn't getting the proper push at school...

Have you spoken to more than the teacher on this? I might try a conference with the principal, honestly. I get that they don't "punish" kids, but can they at least skip congratulating them on crap work? Failing grades? If they won't do the discipline, can they send a letter/email/ something so that you can take care of it at home? At least there are consequences somewhere?

start doing some of the hard work, in parenting your kids,and not sit back and blame the school.  If this bothers you, then be at the school for all meeting. Check your kids homework make them do it!!! And do it right. How did this 20 problem paper get sent back to school with only 8 problems done ? And not done right.   Did you or SO check this paper ? Guest not 

you have start helping not blame others for not doing what you should be doing

Not certain if for just the SD, or for all the kids (although it does seem that the teacher set forth expectations, with the 18/20).  Has dad had kid evaluated?  Should kid be able to meet expectations?  IMHO, unless kid is SN, kid should be able to keep up in younger grades.  I don't expect every kid to be able to handle AP Physics or Calc BC, but in K-5, 8/20 means needs help.  Parents should get kid evaluated.  

I would set up a meeting with the teacher in which you let her know the child is not working up to her abilities and ask her to raise the expectations. Also ask to be informed promptly of behavior/work problems so it can be dealt with at home. And when I say "you," I mean your husband (or both of you if you're an involved SM). 

What grade are we talking about? Public school?  Where's BM in all this?

The "everyone gets a trophy" mentality has not raised the bar of accomplishment these last decades. I understand the value of commendation, but pampered recognition is a pat on the back for mediocrity. This is more apt to create a life long habit of laziness and "hand-it-to-me" behaviors.

Whichever parent(s) liason with the school should question the school's/teacher's methodology AND be on top of it at home. Learning cannot be relegated strictly to the academic environment. School may teach, standardize academic markers and enrich children in certain ways, BUT the desire to learn and achieve begins with what parents instill and follow through with. 

Kids need to learn that there's no  "easy way out" - whether that's chores, homework, sports or general survival.  It's ridiculous to raise them with the idea that they deserve a trophy/award for merely complying with mediocrity.  Achievement is much sweeter when they've EARNED it. 

I brought my sons up before schools got like this. I have seen it with SS though. He was at a special school with a 'peaceful' area etc, he has a trophy for sports day just for taking part.

Personally I think positivity has its place and is good for kids when they have made a good effort but schools these days take it too far, giving praise when it's not really earned and failing to discipline consistently. 

SS being hi func Auti spent a good part of one of his school years at about age 8/9 working on a project about himself and how 'special' he is. It had 'i am special' in big letters across the front and was about 6 inches thick. I totally hate that label now. Just awful, the time would have been better spent working on his dreadful writing and language comprehension or at least on the behavioural issues, but no, they made him proud to be 'special' as if it was something that would serve him well in life. He has grown up with such a sense of entitlement and arrogant attitude. 

I encourage positive discipline but I also encourage consequences and positive criticism. If a child is not completing assignments, coming in late, acting poorly, etc... there will be appropriate consequences. The lack of parenting and discipline is the reason why this current and future generations are so self entitled.

"Constantly praising children, not criticizing them under any circumstances, emphasizing feelings, and not recognizing one child’s achievements as superior to another’s. At the end of a season, every player “won” a trophy. Instead of just one “student of the month,” schools named dozens. Teachers inflated grades from kindergarten through college: “C” became the new “F.” No one ever had to repeat a grade because staying behind caused poor self-esteem."

The result of this is the increase in narcissism and self entitlement that is beyond words. These are scary times people and the injustice that is being done here to our children is mind boggling. It's disturbing and it's scary @ss sh!t of what's ahead for us and the future. Everything in life has a balance.