My blog from Houston, Texas. Updated most weeks, usually on Sundays.
Nothing that appears on a student’s report can be considered unimportant. And yet if I were asked what is the most important piece of information to appear on a student’s report, I would be tempted to reply ‘the effort grade’.
Academic achievement is, of course, vitally important in a school, but by definition, very few students are capable of coming first in their class. On the other hand, the effort grade is a measure of a student’s application, irrespective of natural ability. Effort grades indicate how solidly students are working and how well they are attempting to use their abilities, regardless of the level of actual achievement. Even if a student is struggling to achieve high marks, if he or she is working to the limits of his or her ability (‘working their heart out’ as I often express it), then they ought to be receiving the maximum grade ‘10’ for effort in that subject. Equally, if a student is achieving high marks, but is coasting to the extent that he or she is capable of doing better, then a grade ‘10’ for effort would not be appropriate. For these reasons, I believe that the effort grading is the most significant and useful piece of information for parents which appears on our school reports – it indicates the level of application regardless of ability.
Commencing with the reports that have just been completed for term 1, all the students who earned grade 10 for effort in all their subjects will be presented an Award for Exemplary Effort and Conduct. Students who received straight 10s with just one 8 or 9 will receive an Award for Distinguished Effort and Conduct, while those who achieved straight 10s with two 8s or 9s will be presented with an Award for Commended Effort and Conduct. The designs for these awards can be seen at the end of this blog.
I expect that over time these awards will become highly sought after. They should most certainly form an important part of the resumé of any student who is presented with one, as employers, colleges and universities are usually deeply impressed with demonstrated consistent effort. And for those students for whom the award may not yet seem significant, hopefully the afternoon tea will become a serious incentive in itself!
The achievement of straight ‘10’ grades for effort is a difficult task, especially at Awty where report forms are filled in privately by each teacher, without knowledge of what other teachers may have previously given. The inscription on the Award for Exemplary Effort and Conduct reads in part (in both French and English):
“The Award for Exemplary Effort and Conduct is one of the highest honors bestowed upon students by The Awty International School. Instituted in 2012, the Exemplary Award is presented to students who achieve a '10' for effort and conduct in every subject on their recent term report. This grade is awarded irrespective of achievement or marks gained. Grade 10s are awarded for excellent, sustained effort and conduct, reflecting the School's ideal that every student's talents and abilities should be developed to the fullest extent. Students who are awarded a 10 for effort and conduct frequently make a positive contribution to class and participate actively, they display a highly developed work ethic and a consistent striving towards goals, they exhibit a high degree of motivation and punctuality, they always do homework to the best of their ability and they always come to class well organized with appropriate materials.”
In recognition of the effort made by many Awty students in their studies, the first awards will be presented at a special assembly in a few weeks’ time. I hope it will be the beginning of a long tradition at Awty that recognizes Effort and Conduct as essential components of the high quality educational formation that we offer.
As shown in the photo at the top of this blog, our youngest son, Andrew, has been visiting us this week, having just finished his end-of-year law examinations at university in Australia. It has been great for Dianne and I to share the Thanksgiving break with him, doing many of the tourist ‘things’ in Houston and beyond, including San Antonio and Fredericksburg. The photo at the top of the blog shows our visit to NASA’s Rocket Park, which we did last Wednesday before heading further south to explore Galveston. Andrew will be returning to Australia on Tuesday, but not before I give him a tour of America’s best international school :-)
The importance of effort
Sunday, 25 November 2012