Taking it Personally

Have you ever had to sit down with a doctor to go over blood results?
There are a lot of numbers that need explaining.
Now imagine there was no sit down.
Just log on to a website and view the results.
There would be a lot of confusion and misinterpretation.

We expect our doctors to sit down and discuss our health with us.
Yet, when it comes to education, we don't get the same care.
We just get numbers or letters without any real explanation.
There is nothing less personal than arbitrary grades in a grade book.

In today's world, everything is personalized.
What works for one person doesn't work for the next.
Nothing works across the board for everyone.
Proof in point:

Research is now indicating that there is no such thing as the "perfect" diet.
What may work for someone, may not for another.
That's why there are companies like Viome.
They will take a biopsy of your gut biome and personalize your diet based on the results.
Not only will they tell you what you should eat, they also tell you why you should eat it.

I think it's time to make grading a lot more personal.
Any time we are releasing report card grades, I think a face-to-face conversation is warranted.
Let's show parents what that number really means.
Let's talk about where the individual student is at and what the plan is for the future.
Let's talk about what their child has been learning and why they are learning it.

I know that I am asking a lot.
Yes, some conversations will be uncomfortable.
But they will be much more meaningful than the number in the grade book.
I think that a majority of parents would be grateful.
They would walk away knowing that the teacher truly cares.