Do you want your child to exceed expectations or do you want them to meet the minimum standards?
Around campus we have been having deep discussion that grade level benchmarks truly are minimum requirements for promotion.
Grade Level Benchmarks sound impressive; let’s look at these two statements:
1. “My child made the benchmarks this year for 2nd Grade” (sounds good)
2. “My child struggles to make the Grade Level benchmarks for 2nd Grade.”
Now let’s change “benchmarks” to “minimums”:
1. “My child made the minimums this year for 2nd Grade” (doesn’t sound as good)
2. “My child struggles to make the minimums for 2nd Grade”
The dictionary definition of a minimum is: the least quantity or amount possible, assignable, allowable, or the like, the lowest amount, value, or degree attained or recorded. Rarely do we excel by meeting the minimums. In the workforce we know that if we just “get by” we are on the verge of being fired and if we don’t “get by” we will be fired. As I reflected about minimums there are actually only a few things that meeting the minimums might be good to do but most can be looked at as already exceeding the minimums such as: reducing waste and energy usage, getting to the height at the rollercoaster or waterslide you want to ride…
No parent wants their child just meeting the minimums requirements, including myself. We all want our children to be exceeding benchmarks.
So what can we do?
1. Be a part of your child’s education at school and at home.
2. Know how your child is doing academically…all the time. Your child’s report card should never be a surprise to you.
3. Provide as much support and teaching at home that you can. Give them grand experiences that involve building, creating, designing, and helping while learning with their parents and relatives.
What shouldn’t I do?
1. Ask for a grade advance. (educational and child development research is strongly against it)
2. Think that school will provide all the education (academic, social, behavior, and emotional) your child needs. They need to learn from you more than anything.
3. Place blame on anything or anyone. We all have reasons for failure, let’s move on together.
At Lockhart Elementary in the coming years you will see a drastic push in continuing to provide a learning environment that is focused on exceeding grade level benchmarks. I encourage every family to become part of our journey toward providing the highest expectation for all students.
Daniel Zoller- Principal
Around campus we have been having deep discussion that grade level benchmarks truly are minimum requirements for promotion.
Grade Level Benchmarks sound impressive; let’s look at these two statements:
1. “My child made the benchmarks this year for 2nd Grade” (sounds good)
2. “My child struggles to make the Grade Level benchmarks for 2nd Grade.”
Now let’s change “benchmarks” to “minimums”:
1. “My child made the minimums this year for 2nd Grade” (doesn’t sound as good)
2. “My child struggles to make the minimums for 2nd Grade”
The dictionary definition of a minimum is: the least quantity or amount possible, assignable, allowable, or the like, the lowest amount, value, or degree attained or recorded. Rarely do we excel by meeting the minimums. In the workforce we know that if we just “get by” we are on the verge of being fired and if we don’t “get by” we will be fired. As I reflected about minimums there are actually only a few things that meeting the minimums might be good to do but most can be looked at as already exceeding the minimums such as: reducing waste and energy usage, getting to the height at the rollercoaster or waterslide you want to ride…
No parent wants their child just meeting the minimums requirements, including myself. We all want our children to be exceeding benchmarks.
So what can we do?
1. Be a part of your child’s education at school and at home.
2. Know how your child is doing academically…all the time. Your child’s report card should never be a surprise to you.
3. Provide as much support and teaching at home that you can. Give them grand experiences that involve building, creating, designing, and helping while learning with their parents and relatives.
What shouldn’t I do?
1. Ask for a grade advance. (educational and child development research is strongly against it)
2. Think that school will provide all the education (academic, social, behavior, and emotional) your child needs. They need to learn from you more than anything.
3. Place blame on anything or anyone. We all have reasons for failure, let’s move on together.
At Lockhart Elementary in the coming years you will see a drastic push in continuing to provide a learning environment that is focused on exceeding grade level benchmarks. I encourage every family to become part of our journey toward providing the highest expectation for all students.
Daniel Zoller- Principal