If you read my last blog about traditional grades, we learned that traditional grading systems in short, don’t meet the needs of homeschoolers and in fact may even be detrimental to the overall learning goals. We are talking more about an attitude change defining what we think of, when we think of a “good education.”, rather than never assessing your child.
However, not grading your child can present some problems when it comes to record keeping. Regardless of your state laws, it is my opinion that everyone should keep at least a record of what their child has read, what their child has studied and concepts taught. This is the basics. This is one way in which assessments can be done. However, many states, like mine, still require specific grades. So what’s a deschooler to do?
1. Don’t Tell Them
While the law may say that you have to attach a letter grade to your child’s work, you don’t have to tell them you’re doing it. Not telling them still preserves the intrinsic motivation of learning and if your child is struggling in an area, he doesn’t have to face the daunting big ‘F’.
2. Refuse to Give Grades
If your child is older, it may be a lot easier for you to get out of the mindset of schooling than it will be for your child. What I have seen many moms do in this situation, with a lot of success, is simply refuse. Offer praise or correction as needed but simply explain to your child that you and he will be learning how to just enjoy schooling and that he will no longer be graded for tests, papers, etc. It will likely mean that for every assignment or test you will be explaining this again and again, but eventually your child will appreciate this new approach to school work.
3. Have Your Child Grade Himself
By suggesting this, I’m not saying that his grades are the ones you have to turn into the district. However, if your child just can’t get it out of his mind that he won’t be graded on everything anymore, try allowing him to evaluate himself. Ask questions like, “How well did you understand the concept?” “Did you work as hard as you could?” etc. You will likely be surprised at how honest your child is capable of being when it comes to appraising his own abilities.
4. Use Rubrics Instead
A Rubric is basically a numerical grading system. However, the numbers are clearly defined for a specific set of objectives. (As opposed to letter grades which are more vague). A rubric will help your child know that to earn a 5, he must do above and beyond what is called for.
It is important to remember a that right now, you’re just trying to deschool. It’s not that you’ll never grade again, or that you aren’t evaluating your child. But think of it this way, the more positive learning opportunities you present, the more receptive your child will be the educational process as a whole.
Related Articles:
The Deschooling Series: The Fallacy of Good Grades
The Deschooling Series: The Fallacy of Traditional Education