Isn’t it wonderful to discover that public schools struggle with finding an appropriate grading scale, just like homeschoolers?
Check out one proposed solution to the problem coming from the Seattle School District:
(Former Chief Academic Officer) Rimmer’s decision was a part of a larger effort to focus more on what students learn, and less on how long it takes them. She once proposed what she called an “at-your-pace” diploma, which students would earn in three to five years. The idea was to acknowledge that not all students learn at the same rate, and should be able to retake a class without being punished or discouraged by receiving a failing grade the first time. (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
Homeschoolers already do that! Who knew that we were so “cutting edge” in our academic practices!?
The next time you are struggling to give your homeschool grades, remember this:
- colleges don’t know what grades mean, even public school grades
- if nothing else, we can make sure our kids learn something before moving on.
My husband is writing an article that discusses the some of the “creative” ways our public schools deal with stuggling students. Look for it in this month’s homeschool newsletter, The HomeScholar Record.
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Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
J W says:
Anyone who’s ever memorized tons of information for a test on Friday, then deleted it from memory permanently by Saturday knows how meaningless grades really are.
As a home school teacher, there’s very little I can grade objectively. I also allow “retakes” of tests. One time I realized my daughter didn’t know an effective study strategy for the test I’d given her twice! The third time, she aced it. Guess who’s fault it was that she had to take the test three times – mine!!!
What it really boils down to is how hard is your student willing to work? That’s all that counts in the “real world” when you get a job. Willingness to work increases with (drum roll please) interest. What’s your student passionate about? That’s what matters!
October 20th, 2008 at 8:12 pm