Was It a Good Report Card?

Now that school is out, or almost out depending on which school your child attends, you have had time to review her progress. Were you pleased with her report card? Does your school even issue a report card with grades? Most progressive schools will issue a detailed written evaluation several times a year. Buxton School in Williamstown, MA, for example, issues what it calls 'report letters' three times a year. The same approach can be found in most Montessori and Waldorf schools.

But what about report cards with real grades on them? What is an A? Is it the same as the A your nephew received at his school? Are grades comparable from one school to the other? It's a fascinating subject. Read Dr. Cleveland Latham's explanation of Why an A at One School is a B+ at Another. Is it possible that you and I are too fixated on grades? What do they really indicate anyway? Leave your comments and thoughts either here or in the Private Schools Forum.