Achievement

What is achievement?

All schools are looking to have students achieve, but the definition of the word may need some tweaking if we are to see results.

During my horrible second year in Clark County, I saw the problem first hand.  While the principal wanted to see achievement, what he really wanted was to see that students were passing the course.  I, on the other hand, understood achievement to mean that students would be able to do the assigned task while reaching or at least approaching mastery.  Since we were not on the same page, I struggled within the confines of the system.  (For the record, I do NOT believe passing students is the answer.)

This same issue has come up in the local schools.  My son does not understand math concepts nor does he have an easy time reading and understanding non-fiction.  Nevertheless he is passing his classes because the grading system is designed to give credit for handing in work or having a parent sign a quiz.  Neither of those indicate the student's ability to do or understand the work.  Furthermore, no one is addressing the fact that I have an 8th grade son who is having real academic difficulty.  Masking the grade simply allows the teacher off the responsibility hook.

Can we give students credit for being in the room and doing work but not measuring accuracy??  Do we call that achievement?