There are Only Two Honest Grades

With every school I work with at some point a conversation about student grades will come up. Because every school I have ever worked with does NOT grade student achievement fairly and accurately. 

By the way, that is fact… Not opinion.

Now I know you are upset and are about to either hit the unsubscribe button or write a comment that explains in detail how accurate and objective the grading policy is at your school.  Don’t do either.  Just know that almost all reported grades have elements of subjectivity.

In fact, I have learned there are only two grades that accurately paint a picture of the student. 

These are the overall semester grades of 70 and 69. 

The student who earns an overall semester grade of a 70 is a decent, agreeable kid. 

The student who earns an overall semester grade of a 69 is kind of a jerk.

“I can’t believe I failed with a 69.”

“Really, Mr. Cain? Because none of your teachers are surprised.”

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: TASSP Assistant Principal Workshop (Keynote); NASSP National Principals Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets from the Week of November 26, 2017

If you are not following @LYSNation on Twitter, then you missed the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of November 26, 2017 when they were first posted.  And if you are on Twitter, you might want to check out the Tweeters who made this week’s list.

1. Students should spend a large portion of their day engaged in listening to, reading, thinking, talking, and writing about texts. (By @ReadtobeReadyTN)

2. A student has to receive a 100% NINE times before fully recovering from a single zero. Zeroes are disastrous to kids. (By @justintarte)

3. Don't defend what isn't working. (By @Leadershipfreak)

4. We never had kids, but paying for public education is my favorite tax. We even go to the bake sales. It's called "good citizenship." I want the next generations educated for the same reason I want clean air and water. As part of a community I want what's best for all of us. (By @DCitizenBader)

5. A small team of passionate learners always beats a large team of stagnant knowers. (By @Leadershipfreak)

6. Really interesting read - "Schools reward students who consistently do what they are told - and life rewards people who shake things up." (By @gcouros)

7. Shhhh, don’t tell: Students will work beyond their grade level when they don’t know the work is beyond their grade level. (By @edutopia)

8. Grateful for dedicated pastors all over Texas who advocate bravely for the public education of ALL our children! (By @pastors4txkids)

9. Pain is the point where average starts to become remarkable. (By @Leadershipfreak)

10. Use the 21/90 Rule. It takes 21 days to build a habit and 90 days to build a lifestyle. (By @melrobbins)

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: TASSP Assistant Principal Workshop (Keynote); NASSP National Principals Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets from the Week of September 17, 2017

If you are not following @LYSNation on Twitter, then you missed the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of September 17, 2017 when they were first posted.  And if you are on Twitter, you might want to check out the Tweeters who made this week’s list.

1. NO research shows that giving a low score is motivating. In fact the opposite. It makes students give up. (By @alicekeeler)

2. In school, students cheat because the system values high grades more than students value learning. (By @neiltyson)

3. Frequent walkthroughs are an essential component of a formative observation system to ensure continuous instructional improvement. (By @AsstSuptAAA2)

4. If you aren’t feeling some discomfort, you aren’t improving. (By @Leadershipfreak)  

5. A goal without a plan is just a wish... (By @traci_tousant)

6. Teaching reading to kids is an absolute moral imperative. (By @FountasPinnell)

7. School leaders need to chase learning, not technology, or the latest quick fix, trendy idea, or popular innovation. (By @DrKing_BBJH)

8. Victory requires payment in advance. (By @SportsMotto)

9. Teachers, hold the Texas State Senate Republicans accountable in town halls for their unrelenting attack on Texas Public Schools this session. You deserve better. (By @pastors4txkids)

10. No one is bigger than the team. If you can't do things our way, you're not getting time here and we don't care who you are! –Gregg Popovich (By @CoachMotto)

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook