It Is Not The Children’s Grades That Determine Their Future

If you are a parent, your children’s grades are probably a question that concerns you a lot. At the end of each school year, the dreaded grade report comes with the children’s grades. These small numbers or letters seem to be something that shows if a child is good enough and intelligent enough, and if it will go well for them in the future. But this kind of classification system is not only outdated, it can in some cases even be harmful and cruel to children. For the truth is that it is not the children’s grades that determine their future.

In our societies, we have for several hundred years been accustomed to evaluating our school children with the help of various numerical systems. When the grades the children receive are not what the parents expect, it creates anxiety. At the same time, it makes children feel inadequate, and can lead to friction and conflicts in the family.

But as we mentioned, it is not the children’s grades that determine their future and success. Therefore , it is time for us to learn what these numbers and letters really mean.

What are the grades based on?

We like to think that children’s grades show their intelligence, their abilities and their intellectual level. We can believe that they represent the efforts that the children have made, how attentive they have been and the motivation they had to learn.

From these numerical data we conclude whether the child is capable and knowledgeable and will succeed well in life. We feel proud, ashamed, angry or satisfied based on these ratings, and reward or punish our children accordingly. But can we really get all this information from a single number or letter? The answer to this question is a resounding NO.

Children receive grades based on how they perform on one or more written tests. First of all, this type of test tends to overlook all kinds of practical learning. In addition, they mainly value the ability to memorize.

In other words, it is children who can keep the correct information in mind and can throw it out on tests that get high grades. This is true even if they do not understand what they are writing and forget it the next day.

These tests do not evaluate the actual understanding of the subject or how much the student has learned about it. They also do not take into account the children’s effort, interest or attitude. They only value a specific and concrete result, without regard to the process.

In addition, they also do not take into account the individual differences that exist between the children. In traditional tests, all must fit in the same shape. And if they do not, they will be marked with a letter or a number as insufficient.

The children’s grades do not determine their future

With this in mind, it is important to remember that your children’s grades do not show how good they are at school, or determine how well they will succeed in the future. Mainly because they are not a reliable measure of intelligence, ability or attitude.

A child can have great abilities, be curious, skilled and competent. But this is not something we necessarily see in their school grades. In other words, a child can have a high learning ability and great endurance, and still get low grades.

In addition, grades are not crucial because what they actually measure is not relevant to the success they later have in adulthood. In the real world, the ability to memorize is of little use. However, other skills, such as social skills, creativity and self-confidence, are what really matter.

Fitting into shape during school can sometimes even be a handicap when you later have to face the adult reality. At the same time, it has been proven that students who are less successful in school have certain advantages when it comes to becoming entrepreneurs. While school rewards those who adapt, life rewards those who take risks.

Focus on the process

So when it comes to your child’s education, try to focus on the process rather than on the results. Be sure to teach your child a curiosity for learning, develop their critical thinking, perseverance and responsibility.

Of course, you should encourage your child to make a proper effort and meet the challenges that come with school. But do not forget that a grade is only a number or letter. It does not define your child as a person, nor does it determine their success in life.

Fortunately, more appropriate and diversified pedagogues and evaluation methods are beginning to emerge. But until these are implemented, let’s stop putting labels on our children based on achievements that are not put in a larger context.