Cosmas Week 11

As our first quarter comes to a close and report cards go out I have been thinking a lot more about grading and what a “fair” grade or rubric really means.  My students receive actual letter grades A-F for math, reading, writing, social studies, and science.  When I was in elementary school I don’t remember getting letter grades until at least 4^th or 5^th grade so giving such young students letter grades is a bit strange for me.  I mostly struggle when looking at a below average student and giving them a corresponding letter grade for their performance.  My MT has told me that she tries to just be realistic with grades so that when students run into difficulties or need extra help it’s not foreign to the student or their parents that their child may be struggling.  Though I completely agree with this idea, it is still difficult for me to give a student a C in writing because they are doing “average” 1^st or 2^nd grade work.  I see such great strengths and positive moments in each of my students every day that I always feel they are having personal successes that are worth more than just a letter grade.  Even though a student may be writing at a C or “average” level, they may be making huge strides for their own personal progress. 

              The notions of “average” or “above/below average” also really throw me off when I am grading.  I completely understand the importance of having grade level benchmarks and expectations so that teachers and students can be accountable for the growth that needs to happen over the course of a year.  However, I have a problem with labeling (through grading) a student as above, below, or just average based on something generic that we apply to all our students.  As mentioned above, it is so problematic for me to think about my struggling writers and readers getting a D as their grade but in reality making huge changes for the better.  I know also that a letter grade doesn’t say it all, and that communicating this to parents is also important, but the labeling of the grade is still what makes me uncomfortable.  So as report card pick-up time came around I found myself really focusing and realizing more the importance of parent involvement and participation.   When parents come to meet with us just for that short 10 minute session really gives my MT and I the opportunity to have these conversations with parents that can be so crucial.  They need to understand that a letter grade isn’t the end all be all of school and that each child has struggles and successes and that is where the real importance of education lies.