In
(Higher) education we use different grading systems and assessments to capture
and actually "grade" the performance of our students. We have minimum
scores, “honors” procedures for graduating students., etc. We use all sorts of
sophisticated systems to be able to eventually have our students celebrate
their graduation. We need to test and assess but we KNOW grading is
always insufficient to capture the development of our
students.
And sometimes our grading systems actually fails to appreciate the development and growth of the individual student that, while studying, has to face challenging circumstances. For this student, facing the big hurdles of life, graduation is an extra special achievement. Maybe this student just barely meets the minimum standard, and will never be able to graduate “Cum Laude”, but he does show passion, drive and determination.
Its that one student that, while having real life challenges to face, is able to study, co-operate and develop. It's the student that shows these critical "life skills", having to develop fast on a personal level. Maybe that one student really acts on a deeper personal level and is even better prepared for his professional life then some of his peers.
Working in education we quite often have discussions about how to carefully grade and how to set up a "standard", how to define the essential aspects of personal and professional development. It’s not a cold and rational science. Education is the “Art” of learning together with students, exchanging views and beliefs, is about unleashing potential, tapping into the curiosity of our students, about development critical thinking skills, and developing awareness of who we can be and how we can make it a better world.
So... The educational system will always need to think about how grading and testing can appreciate right aspects of development of these young individuals. Next to our traditional system and diploma's for a few years now we have our own additional system, award, recognition of personal strength. Is this the perfect solution? Probably not, but it is a good first step and I’m proud of our Retail Business School to at least.... try!
And sometimes our grading systems actually fails to appreciate the development and growth of the individual student that, while studying, has to face challenging circumstances. For this student, facing the big hurdles of life, graduation is an extra special achievement. Maybe this student just barely meets the minimum standard, and will never be able to graduate “Cum Laude”, but he does show passion, drive and determination.
Its that one student that, while having real life challenges to face, is able to study, co-operate and develop. It's the student that shows these critical "life skills", having to develop fast on a personal level. Maybe that one student really acts on a deeper personal level and is even better prepared for his professional life then some of his peers.
Working in education we quite often have discussions about how to carefully grade and how to set up a "standard", how to define the essential aspects of personal and professional development. It’s not a cold and rational science. Education is the “Art” of learning together with students, exchanging views and beliefs, is about unleashing potential, tapping into the curiosity of our students, about development critical thinking skills, and developing awareness of who we can be and how we can make it a better world.
So... The educational system will always need to think about how grading and testing can appreciate right aspects of development of these young individuals. Next to our traditional system and diploma's for a few years now we have our own additional system, award, recognition of personal strength. Is this the perfect solution? Probably not, but it is a good first step and I’m proud of our Retail Business School to at least.... try!
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