Reply to Madison H.S. Parents - Principal Survey and Skills-Based Grading

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[quote=Anonymous]I get the complaint that kids are often "lazy" (or is it that they are efficient in using their time on things that count?)...and the skills based grading allows kids to choose NOT to do practice assignments (which drives parents nuts when they see "not turned in" in SIS).  I can see how SBG does not improve dedication-to-task and work habits....

But isn't there an upside --even for upper middle class kids who have time to do homework, but maybe aren't the best at executive functioning and getting things done?  And certainly there is an upside for kids who don't understand concepts right away, but ultimately DO get help at study hall or make the connection on their own?

I mean, I have a kid, like many boys, who sometimes misses deadlines.  If he can shiw rhat he understands the material on the test, he's not penalized for missing the homework.   And he makes the choice to use his time on the homework or not...which drives me nuts ('cause I think you should do all the homework to prepare for tests), but I can't say he's been hurt by the process.  He has all A-'s and one B+.

Maybe if I thought he needed to have all A's, I'd be riding his case more...but I don't think that's helpful.  He's learning what he needs to learn, and showing what his teachers need him to show.  To me that's success.

SBG might be good for more than just "the poors" and "equity".  It might be good for kids who can learn concepts/skills, but don't always have perfect homework habits.  I wonder if a portion of those who are strongly against it are parents of kids who ARE very conscientious about doing all the homework and SBG doesn't give them the grade boost for that snymore?

I do recognize that SBG does not incentivise:  following directions, being timely, and  showing sustained effort on tasks.  ...which plays into the psychology of humans to do as little as possible.   On the other hand, SBG seems to prioritize what the kid actually knows/shows about the material being taught.  The learning of the material is the main thing, right?

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