Grading: How, When & Why

When it comes to report card time in our home, filling out paperwork is as simple as can be. In the grades column, I hit the caps lock button and keep my finger on the letter “A”; I run straight down the page and stop when I get to the end.

To some, this might seem ridiculous. All “A’s”; really? Don’t get the wrong idea; my kids never get an easy “A”! It is our method which affords our children the grades they earn.

How

A large part of their success is due to our mastery method of learning. Our children earn “A’s” because they do not move forward until an “A” can be achieved. Anything less than an “A” would be impossible.
So how do we know when our children have mastered an area of study? Easy; they have mastered an area when they, in turn, can teach it to someone else. The lesson becomes second nature to them and they could work blindfolded, if need be.
Our children’s grades are not calculated based on testing alone. Apart from assigned lessons, they are also expected to meet individual standards of achievement, participation, and show good conduct. As you can see… there is nothing easy about their “A”!

When

Typically report cards are due every nine weeks. I have these records ready to go and filed on time every quarter.
As we study with mastery in mind, taking time to calculate grades is of no concern. However, this requires I be on top of our work daily. There is no putting off of work to be graded later. I need to be an active participant in their learning, knowing at all times how they are doing and where their weaknesses lie.

Why

Our PSP requires report cards, not the state; just to clarify this point. We fill out these forms to comply with our contract.
We choose to share these grades with our children to better help them understand levels of achievement expected by outside institutions. While we study for mastery, future educational choices might not afford them this opportunity. Sharing such standards better prepares our children.
What’s funny, is that our kids have no idea they are being graded; not really. The only thing they understand is that they should do all their work to the best of their ability. That’s it! If I happen to mention, off-hand, what “grade” they earned, it means very little to them. The only thing that concerns them is doing better next time; if it is possible.

Sometimes I wonder what other people might think when they look at our kids’ paperwork. “Sure, Cris, your kids got straight “A’s” all through their schooling. Right!” However, I think “the proof is in the pudding”. The kids’ level of achievement and their attitudes toward learning speak for themselves.

It will be interesting to see how they do when they begin to take college courses come high school. When someone else is grading them and setting the standards, will they be shocked (either way) to find out how they are doing? I would like to think they will rise to the occasion and exceed even their own expectations.

“That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
II Timothy 3:17

 Chime In!: What are your standards for grading? We’d love to hear how, when, and why you choose to grade your children’s work!

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Skip Me!

One of the many benefits of home schooling, is escaping the “grade” restrictions of learning. We no longer feel the need to keep our children strapped into a boxed learning set. A student may technically be in sixth grade, but their curriculum might be all over the place!

On the flip-side, what if your child is advanced in every area? What if your fifth grade student is doing all areas of study at a seventh grade level?  What should we do then? This is where the great debate lies… to skip or not to skip.

A friend of mine has a daughter who fits this category. She is very intelligent and learns things quickly. While she might be in fifth grade, she is doing work well beyond her grade. Her parents have decided that perhaps skipping a grade or two might be beneficial.

Other students in our PSP have also experienced this dilemma, but have chosen to go a different route. Their children remained in the “appropriate” grade, but then graduated a year early.

Or course, one could always choose not to allow the student to skip at all. Instead of advancing to college early, they would be permitted to use their time to pursue creative endeavors or seek employment for a time.

Perhaps my children are doing exceptionally well right now. The work given them might be above their “grade level”, but they are handling it just fine. However, what happens if my child hits a plateau? (Just because they are advancing well now, doesn’t mean that will continue to remain true.) What are my options should they struggle in ninth or tenth grade?

Do I then take them back a grade? Do I keep them at the higher level, but give them easier classes? If I take them back, it will look bad on their transcripts and could damage their future. If I keep them at the same grade but make the work easier, it will reflect poorly as well.

Keeping them at the intended grade level, gives me the freedom to advance their work without the worry of maintaining that status. They can continue to be challenged, but still have room to breathe.

Should they exceed all our expectations and push through their years of learning at an accelerated rate (which we have known several of our friends’ kids to do), we can then choose to either graduate them early or allow them to use their time pursuing other options.

I do not believe there is a “right” or “wrong” answer to the question of skipping. Each family must prayerfully make this decision for themselves. Through Biblical wisdom and the leading of the Holy Spirit, may we each make the best decisions for our family.

🔔Time to Chime In: What advice would you give on choosing to skip an advanced student?

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An Easy A

When it comes to report card time, filling out paperwork is as simple as can be. (Our PSP requires report cards, not the state; just to clarify this point.) In the grades column, I hit the caps lock button and keep my finger on the letter “A”; I run straight down the page and stop when I get to the end.

To some, this might seem ridiculous. All “A’s”; really? But don’t get the wrong idea, my kids never get an easy “A”! It is our method which affords our children the grades they earn.

As homeschoolers, there is very little (if any) work my children accomplish that doesn’t meet my eye. We are together almost non-stop; twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. (Frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.)

Because of this, I know exactly how they are progressing and which areas need immediate work. A large part of their success is also due to our mastery method of learning. They earn the “A” because they do not move forward until an “A” can be achieved. Anything less than an “A” would be impossible.

So how do we know when our children have mastered an area of study? Easy; they have mastered an area when they, in turn, can teach it to someone else. The lesson becomes second nature to them and they could work blindfolded, if need be.

Our children’s grades are not calculated based on testing alone. Apart from assigned lessons, they are also expected to meet individual standards of achievement, participation, and show good conduct.

As you can see… there is nothing easy about their “A”!

What’s funny, is that our kids have no idea they are being graded; not really. The only thing they understand is that they should do all their work to the best of their ability and give life their all. That’s it! If I happen to mention, off-hand, what “grade” they earned, it means very little to them. The only thing that concerns them is doing better next time; if it is possible.

Sometimes I wonder what other people might think when they look at our kids’ paperwork. “Sure, Cris, your kids got straight “A’s” all through their schooling. Right!” However, I think “the proof is in the pudding”. The kids’ level of achievement and their attitudes toward learning speak for themselves.

It will be interesting to see how they do when they begin to take college courses come high school. When someone else is grading them and setting the standards, will they be shocked (either way) to find out how they are doing? I would like to think they will rise to the occasion and exceed even their own expectations.

If you file report cards; by what standard do you give an “A”?