Learning for an Education or a Grade?

This article in the NY Times gives an overview of what is happening to students who have learned in K-12 that if they work hard they should get an A and then go to college where the expectation is that you will also demonstrate higher level thinking. This if food for thought if you are teaching in K-12. What are we setting students up for? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/education/18college.html?em