A lot of teachers give an effort grade as well as an achievement grade.
One of my high school teachers gave a whole lecture on how even though Usain Bolt is the fastest man alive, he probably isn't the one who trains the hardest. He believed the person who does try the hardest still deserves an award for their effort. Applying this idea now to students, some are able to not study at all, yet get an A. At the same time there are others who study all the time and get a C. At this point the students grade is based largely on talent, which can only get one so far in life.
Looking at this from the school's perspective they are only trying to measure what they want to measure. Does the student have the necessary skills to help them succeed in life. While spyware may not be the best way to go about it, it certainly makes sense to the schools.
They're only trying to measure what they want to measure?! Three letter agencies can use the exact same argument, it's basically a carte blanche.
I don't buy the argument with effort grades. There's nothing admirable about studying very hard without getting something out of it; what matters is the effectiveness.
If it is a "problem" that someone with talent can finish a course with an A without studying, then obviously such people need a more difficult course, rather than being punished for finishing something without studying.
What are the bright students supposed to do to earn a good grade then? It's not their fault the material is too easy and they don't have to study to do well.
Jump through all hoops, however meaningless and soul-killing. This will result in good grades.
(I wouldn't actually recommend this, but it's the answer to your question. And, as far as I can tell, it's the only answer to your question -- the system does not care about students more than about a standard deviation above the mean.)
The person who trains the hardest is quite possibly also somebody who trains incorrectly. Why should effort alone be worthy of praise or recognition? Achievement should always be prioritized above effort. Prioritizing effort unjustly disadvantages those who work smarter, not harder.
One of my high school teachers gave a whole lecture on how even though Usain Bolt is the fastest man alive, he probably isn't the one who trains the hardest. He believed the person who does try the hardest still deserves an award for their effort. Applying this idea now to students, some are able to not study at all, yet get an A. At the same time there are others who study all the time and get a C. At this point the students grade is based largely on talent, which can only get one so far in life.
Looking at this from the school's perspective they are only trying to measure what they want to measure. Does the student have the necessary skills to help them succeed in life. While spyware may not be the best way to go about it, it certainly makes sense to the schools.