We have so many choices as homeschoolers. This sounds like it’s really great, and it is, but sometimes the choices can feel overwhelming. One choice I hear a lot of parents questioning is considering the value of assigning letter grades to work for the lower grade levels. Is it worth it? Is it helpful? Is it harmful? Do I have to do it? This line of questioning is very valid, and deserves a good discussion. *Clearly, the high school grade levels are completely different, as many students wish to continue after 12th grade onto a university or a trade school, who will require a transcript full of letter grades, complete with a calculation for GPA. Today, we will focus on 8th grade and below.
First off, please let me remind you that I am in no way qualified or able to give legal counsel. I am simply sharing the knowledge I have gained through my education as a teacher, and through my own extensive homeschool experience. Each state in the U.S. has its own rules and laws on how homeschooling is to be done, and it is of utmost importance to always reference those first, before making any kind of decision regarding grading protocols. That being said, the couple of states we have resided in while homeschooling have no requirements for parents to assign letter grades to assignments and such, so that is the situation I will speak from.
SO, with all of that out of the way, here come the tough questions. The first one has an easy answer, so let’s begin there!
Do I have to assign letter grades in Kindergarten through 8th grade?
My best answer this one is…Check your state’s laws. If you’re not sure how to do this, I highly recommend checking Home School Legal Defense Association’s (HSLDA) website. They are so helpful. No I’m not affiliated with them in any way, I just love the service they provide to homeschooling families.
Is grading assignments harmful to my younger students?
This one is a bit tougher to answer because it is entirely case sensitive. In other words, there is not a solid “yes or no” answer here. It truly depends on many variables including the following:
- your child’s personality (Extra sensitive or perfectionistic kids are not often helped by the extra stressor of needing to “earn” or “live up to” certain grade goals at a young age. This is better introduced when they are a bit older and have a better handle on their emotions and ability to manage expectations.)
- the type of homeschooling you are doing (please see “What’s the Right Way To Homeschool?” for an overview if you’re unsure)
- your own understanding/ability to determine your child’s progress
- personal preference on the necessity for a written report card
Is grading assignments helpful to younger students?
In short, not often. While there are a few kids who thrive when they are graded and pushed, but the majority of younger (below high school level) students do much better with simply learning how to complete quality work, minus the grade. Repeating the process or assignment until it has been completed in a satisfactory way tends to be much more effective than trying to aim for an elusive letter grade. Younger students have trouble understanding the meaning of these intangible letter values, and it can become a frustration rather than a teaching tool. Foregoing the assigning of letter grades is known as teaching skills while imparting subject matter knowledge. It is a popular method among seasoned homeschoolers, but as I mentioned above, not the perfect fit for all cases.
What did we choose for our family?
OK mamas, here is where I can really give you ALLLLLL the details! When our kids were younger, I knew right away that we would be choosing NOT to grade them on their work by assigning a letter grade. We practiced concepts and completed assignments until mastery was demonstrated, and then moved on. This more natural, less stressed, method worked very well for our kids. They are both naturally prone to goal-making and devoting lots of energy to what they are targeting, so the addition of more stress would not have served either of them well. They thrived under this method for years.
I did begin to introduce the concept of grading values through giving weekly spelling tests starting when they were in 4th grade, and this was for the purpose of having a tangible work to give value to the grade assigned. One point per word. Number of correct words over the number of total words tested, and listed as a fraction. I also taught percentages at this time to give further meaning to the “random numbers.” That helped a lot.
As they moved through middle school, I began to teach testing and quizzing techniques for subjects other than spelling. We still called them tests and quizzes, and corrected them as such, but no letter grade was assigned. This was for the purpose of learning how to study and learning how to take tests without the blow of an undesired letter grade staring them in the face. They were able to discern what study methods worked well for them, and which ones didn’t. Tests were able to be repeated in order to better master study skills without penalty. This also facilitated a less-pressured way to learn the proper way to study for and take a test without the added stress of trying to earn a certain letter at the same time. This helped a lot, too.
Now that high school is underway, we are very happy with our choice to wait on grading until they were older. The kids are, too. They feel prepared, rather than panicked. They do not experience the “test anxiety” that commonly plagues students. This was our whole goal. They are confident in their knowledge and their ability to use it. Now that I do grade assignments and compute semester grades for transcripts, they are able to feel very proud of the grades they are earning. They know they are succeeding. They also know how hard they’ve worked to get here. As both a teacher and as a parents, what more could I ask for??
And now you have it. My official “This is what I did” input on homeschool grading. Just a reminder to you as you use our experience to learn from…copying what we did might be right for your kids, and it might not. Be willing to try out a few different methods in order to find what works best for you and your kids. You’re doing great…I just know it. The joy will come when you’ve found the right fit for your family. Blessings to you, and I’m sending encouragement your way!