Getting Started: Grading

Grading on the regular report card can present a difficult problem. Students who show great progress in learning English can still be unable to read or comprehend materials used in the regular classroom. Also, parents sometimes expect their children to earn grades similar to those they earned in their home country.

Letter grades can cause a lot of misunderstanding. An "A" can be seen by the parent as indicating the student is doing excellent work in comparison to peers, whereas the teacher meant he has a good attitude, is improving markedly, and is progressing to the best of his ability. On the other hand, a parent might be upset with a child and press him to work harder if an "F" is received, even though regular classroom work is incomprehensible and the student is doing his best. The teacher, in this case, is communicating the fact that the student is unable to do any regular work assigned to the class in that subject and has failed all assignments and tests. Misunderstandings between school and parents can persist despite explanations, partially because grades may be used much differently in the home country than here.

An alternate evaluation system, agreed upon in a conference between principal, teacher(s), and parents, is recommended for non-English speaking students. Perhaps a report of progress in learning English would be in order at first. S-U grading might be considered for subject areas after the student is able to participate to some degree. Only when the student knows enough English to earn grades under the same criteria as peers are letter grades really advisable.

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