How much do grades and test scores matter to you?

[Anonymous]

I mean I'm not sitting around demanding top grades but also, it's all info at this point. It tells you where your kids strengths lie and where they might need more support. It can also indicate interests since kids tend to do enjoy subjects they are better at.

At the elementary level, grades and test scores aren't about hard work or discipline. It's about engagement (do they like it? are they bored? are they frustrated?) and aptitude (what comes easy and what doesn't). Think of it the way you think of your kids doctor's visit. If your child's growth slows down and the pediatrician expresses concern, do you go home and tell your kid to work harder at growing? No, you look at their diet, ask the pediatrician for nutritional recommendations, makes some shifts and see if it helps, maybe consult a specialist if things get worse. Well academics are the same. If your kid is struggling in math, it's time to assess how you are supporting them in math, maybe make a few changes, and if things don't improve, consider tutoring.

But the end of elementary and definitely in middle school, kids have a lot more control over their grades and performance. Not total control, aptitude still matters. But hard work and discipline matters more at that point, and depending on their life goals, may be necessary to get them where they want to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test scores are a proxy for how good my kid's school is.

Grades are an indication of how hard my kid is trying.

Don’t be fooled. It doesn’t at all. It shows how much the parents are teaching their kid at home.

Seems unlikely. I don't know how many parents have the time and energy and expertise to teach their kids much. I do know that DC schools, in general, have low standards and so standardized tests are a good way to know where you are compared to schools elsewhere.

You don’t need expertise to teach elementary material. Much of which can be taught through reading books together, museums, conversations, experiences. The kids that score high nearly all have college educated parents that value education and are not low income. It is because of what is happening at home, that they score high, not what is happening at school. When you look at a mediocre school, it’s very easy to see the pattern of who is scoring high and who isn’t. The kids that are scoring high would likely score high at any school.

Ok, but I'm not trying to compare my kid to children in difficult circumstances. I want to know how they compare the other kids in general. And I disagree on teaching elementary school. Teachers have skills that parents don't, at least the good ones do. They also know what's appropriate for an age, how to present the material and the order in which to tackle subjects. Math builds on itself, for example, and if there are holes in a child's education, it will be an ongoing problem. It's also not uncommon for my kid to learn stuff I don't remember or never learned.

That’s the point. Good schools look good because of family demographics- not because of amazing teaching happening. Teachers aren’t directly teaching like you think they are. You can absolutely do a more thorough job yourself at home-for any subject. I’m not saying you need to homeschool, but spend 20-30 min most days on math and she will benefit greatly. Transfer that to any subject she may need help or acceleration in: reading, writing, grammar.

Yeah, completely and totally disagree, based on first hand experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test scores are a proxy for how good my kid's school is.

Grades are an indication of how hard my kid is trying.

Don’t be fooled. It doesn’t at all. It shows how much the parents are teaching their kid at home.

Seems unlikely. I don't know how many parents have the time and energy and expertise to teach their kids much. I do know that DC schools, in general, have low standards and so standardized tests are a good way to know where you are compared to schools elsewhere.

You don’t need expertise to teach elementary material. Much of which can be taught through reading books together, museums, conversations, experiences. The kids that score high nearly all have college educated parents that value education and are not low income. It is because of what is happening at home, that they score high, not what is happening at school. When you look at a mediocre school, it’s very easy to see the pattern of who is scoring high and who isn’t. The kids that are scoring high would likely score high at any school.

Ok, but I'm not trying to compare my kid to children in difficult circumstances. I want to know how they compare the other kids in general. And I disagree on teaching elementary school. Teachers have skills that parents don't, at least the good ones do. They also know what's appropriate for an age, how to present the material and the order in which to tackle subjects. Math builds on itself, for example, and if there are holes in a child's education, it will be an ongoing problem. It's also not uncommon for my kid to learn stuff I don't remember or never learned.

That’s the point. Good schools look good because of family demographics- not because of amazing teaching happening. Teachers aren’t directly teaching like you think they are. You can absolutely do a more thorough job yourself at home-for any subject. I’m not saying you need to homeschool, but spend 20-30 min most days on math and she will benefit greatly. Transfer that to any subject she may need help or acceleration in: reading, writing, grammar.

Yeah, completely and totally disagree, based on first hand experience.

Sounds like a skill issue. If the parent is smart enough AND the child is smart and teachable, home enrichment goes a long way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In elementary school, how much do grades and test scores matter to you? My DD's grades are usually good, but her test scores are more volatile. I'm a recovering perfectionist, so trying really hard not to project on her.

How are her grades good but her test scores volatile? Do you mean standardized tests? I would care more about her grades, which are generally more of a reflection of effort plus ability, than a standardized test like the CogAT or something, which is pure ability.

OP here, yes her standardized test scores are all over the place. She's usually high on reading, but even then will have an outlier score here and there. Math she scores average generally, which is not surprising, she has to work harder at it (she's also young for her grade), but she generally gets all As and maybe one B. Math and science being the grades that are more likely to be her lower grades. Sometimes I see her math standardized test scores and get worried, but then I see her grades and chill out.

What are you worried about? That she is average? That is okay!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test scores are a proxy for how good my kid's school is.

Grades are an indication of how hard my kid is trying.

Don’t be fooled. It doesn’t at all. It shows how much the parents are teaching their kid at home.

Seems unlikely. I don't know how many parents have the time and energy and expertise to teach their kids much. I do know that DC schools, in general, have low standards and so standardized tests are a good way to know where you are compared to schools elsewhere.

You don’t need expertise to teach elementary material. Much of which can be taught through reading books together, museums, conversations, experiences. The kids that score high nearly all have college educated parents that value education and are not low income. It is because of what is happening at home, that they score high, not what is happening at school. When you look at a mediocre school, it’s very easy to see the pattern of who is scoring high and who isn’t. The kids that are scoring high would likely score high at any school.

Ok, but I'm not trying to compare my kid to children in difficult circumstances. I want to know how they compare the other kids in general. And I disagree on teaching elementary school. Teachers have skills that parents don't, at least the good ones do. They also know what's appropriate for an age, how to present the material and the order in which to tackle subjects. Math builds on itself, for example, and if there are holes in a child's education, it will be an ongoing problem. It's also not uncommon for my kid to learn stuff I don't remember or never learned.

That’s the point. Good schools look good because of family demographics- not because of amazing teaching happening. Teachers aren’t directly teaching like you think they are. You can absolutely do a more thorough job yourself at home-for any subject. I’m not saying you need to homeschool, but spend 20-30 min most days on math and she will benefit greatly. Transfer that to any subject she may need help or acceleration in: reading, writing, grammar.

Yeah, completely and totally disagree, based on first hand experience.

Sounds like a skill issue. If the parent is smart enough AND the child is smart and teachable, home enrichment goes a long way.

We've had a child attend two highly regarded schools in the same year, and saw a dramatic difference in test scores. This idea that teachers count for nothing, or that all teachers are the same, and that parent's education level and how much effort they put into it at home is the only thing that matters is silly. Some schools are much more effective than others.

[Anonymous]

I expect my three kids to perform well in school. Yes, grades and test scores matter.

[Anonymous]

For test score I care more about whether my DCs need help with the subject, or just a careless mistake, and they have to understand or to be careful next time. For grades I will only concern if it’s a 2 or lower, found out what’s the issue, and work with DCs to improve it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test scores are a proxy for how good my kid's school is.

Grades are an indication of how hard my kid is trying.

Don’t be fooled. It doesn’t at all. It shows how much the parents are teaching their kid at home.

Seems unlikely. I don't know how many parents have the time and energy and expertise to teach their kids much. I do know that DC schools, in general, have low standards and so standardized tests are a good way to know where you are compared to schools elsewhere.

You don’t need expertise to teach elementary material. Much of which can be taught through reading books together, museums, conversations, experiences. The kids that score high nearly all have college educated parents that value education and are not low income. It is because of what is happening at home, that they score high, not what is happening at school. When you look at a mediocre school, it’s very easy to see the pattern of who is scoring high and who isn’t. The kids that are scoring high would likely score high at any school.

Ok, but I'm not trying to compare my kid to children in difficult circumstances. I want to know how they compare the other kids in general. And I disagree on teaching elementary school. Teachers have skills that parents don't, at least the good ones do. They also know what's appropriate for an age, how to present the material and the order in which to tackle subjects. Math builds on itself, for example, and if there are holes in a child's education, it will be an ongoing problem. It's also not uncommon for my kid to learn stuff I don't remember or never learned.

That’s the point. Good schools look good because of family demographics- not because of amazing teaching happening. Teachers aren’t directly teaching like you think they are. You can absolutely do a more thorough job yourself at home-for any subject. I’m not saying you need to homeschool, but spend 20-30 min most days on math and she will benefit greatly. Transfer that to any subject she may need help or acceleration in: reading, writing, grammar.

Yeah, completely and totally disagree, based on first hand experience.

I used to believe this, but in my experience it’s overstated. My kid attends a very diverse school that has a mix of high SES and low SES students. The high SES repeat the idea that parental background matters more than school as an article of faith. But I have observed that the test scores of high SES kids at my school, while relatively higher within the school, are lower than nearby “good” schools. That matches my sense that the instruction at higher grades is less rigorous and expectations are generally lower. I think parental background provides a floor against kids being completely behind, but as school gets more advanced, the school matters.

[Anonymous]

My kids are young adults. What's funny is I remember one of them failing a reading SOL in grade school and not doing well on reading comprehension worksheets and tests. The teachers were telling me for a few years how kid isn't a good reader, was below reading level. Kid was later in honors college at university doing a ton of reading and getting As at a competitive university. Other kid bombed a few math SOLs in grade school. One teacher called me in for a one-on-one meeting and was very concerned that kid wasn't learning math and would never be good at it. Kid is now a STEM major and math is kid's best subject. Kid got As in AP stats, said it was pretty easy overall. Never listen to grade school teachers who tell you your kid isn't smart. Encourage your children's learning behind the scenes and be their biggest fan, because no one else in the world is.

[Anonymous]

I expect sincere effort, and a respectful attitude towards teachers and learning. That is all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In elementary school, how much do grades and test scores matter to you? My DD's grades are usually good, but her test scores are more volatile. I'm a recovering perfectionist, so trying really hard not to project on her.

How are her grades good but her test scores volatile? Do you mean standardized tests? I would care more about her grades, which are generally more of a reflection of effort plus ability, than a standardized test like the CogAT or something, which is pure ability.

OP here, yes her standardized test scores are all over the place. She's usually high on reading, but even then will have an outlier score here and there. Math she scores average generally, which is not surprising, she has to work harder at it (she's also young for her grade), but she generally gets all As and maybe one B. Math and science being the grades that are more likely to be her lower grades. Sometimes I see her math standardized test scores and get worried, but then I see her grades and chill out.

Just a thought since you said her scores are inconsistent. Maybe it indicates a gap in study skills. Performance on long standardized tests can be affected by focus. Perhaps she just needs practice on having the patience and endurance to complete the test. I worked on this with my kids. Had them work on many tedious problems for 30 minutes in a row. Then build up to an hour so they’d have the stamina to take a long test. Can be anything but something she wouldn’t necessarily find “fun.” I think enduring something that’s boring for a sustained amount of time is an important skill that kids don’t experience enough now. Not just for tests. Also maybe she needs to build the study habits of taking her time reading the questions and answer choices completely and double checking her work.

[Anonymous]

I care about grades and test scores. It’s how I was raised and I don’t see anything wrong with that. Generally my kids do well in school and standardized tests. I expect them to give their best effort. They also expect that of themselves and go above and beyond without needing prodding. I think this mindset is important for the workplace. I focus more on growth too. If they do miss something on a test or assignment, we discuss why it happened. Most of the time, it’s because they made a careless mistake, either didn’t read the question carefully or didn’t double check their work. I encourage studying for tests and try to actively teach them study habits and methods. They have definitely learned that waiting until the last minute or not making time to study sometimes doesn’t result in good scores. I’d rather they learn to build the skills now when the stakes are low. And I want them to learn to fail and recover early. So they have good habits when grades and test scores have a bigger impact on their future. There’s a delicate balance. I don’t want to push too hard where my kid is no longer enjoying school. Thankfully my kids love to learn.

I think most parents I know push in some area whether it’s academics, sports or another talent especially when they observe their child’s potential and interests. It just depends on what their particular family values are. My kids’ talent lie in academics not as much in other areas. While they participate in many sports, they aren’t the star athletes. They’re not naturally musically gifted. Both sports and music take more effort for them. I just expect them to try to their best in those and I want them to have fun. I don’t expect excellence.

Above all, I want my kids to be “good neighbors” and focus on kindness and generosity. So although our family values academics, my kids are not competitive with their classmates. They actively try to help their classmates. I think pushing too hard in academics does sometimes lead to competitiveness with peers.