The Problem with our Schools

Yesterday was report card day and as always the household was an interesting mix of anticipation and dread. Before I go into a rant that befits the title of this entry let me share a brief summary of results

Mr. 15 - 5 Week Progress Report Semester 2

He seems to be doing better - other than his computing course which we discovered he had missed 4 assignments already, everything else seems to be in order. This is a huge improvement and one that makes it almost possible to dust off that down beaten emotion commonly known as "hope"

Mr. 13 - 2nd Term Report

2 D's, 2 B-'s... the rest a combination of C+, C and C-'s. The overall comment is that he is inconsistent, needs to take responsibility for his own learning, often comes unprepared and without his books, doesn't always do his homework and needs to write in full sentences with punctuation (yes this is grade 8). This report card has triggered the upcoming rant.

Ms 7 - 2nd Term Report

1 B+, the rest a combination of A-, A and A+'s. The comments were all glowing. This kid loves school, she's motivated and she has natural ability.

Can you say a real mixed bag?

The problem that I have is that the Mr. 13's grades and comments do not match some of the key indicators on the report card. On the Ontario Elementary report cards there are three overall categories (wording from memory)

1. Progressing well towards promotion

2. Progressing towards promotion with some difficulty

3. Promotion at risk - remedial action required

Mr. 13 was rated a 1. Excuse me? Since when do C's which are considered approaching the provincial standard (not at or above) indicate that someone is progressing well? His behavioural anchors including homework completion and initiative were all good's or satisfactory's. How could that be if someone doesn't do their homework and is often not prepared for class? The message that this report sends this inherently lazy kid is that it's ok to be mediocre, to not put in the effort, and to not take responsibility because we're going to pass you anyway. This kid goes to high school in September. In high school they won't hold his hand. In high school he will drown. And he will drown not just because he is lazy and unwilling to put in the effort, he will drown because the elementary school system is pushing him that way. My view - if you can't/ don't do the work right the first time you do it again until you get it right. i.e.. hold his sorry ass back for a year. Ensure the feedback matches the behaviour.

I am so annoyed - the school system is effectively failing him because it won't say "you need to try harder" and if you don't here are the possible consequences. I will be seeking an interview with his teacher and the principal after March Break - this is just wrong.