Grading Behaviour

The girls all got their report cards from school on Friday. In the state that we live in they have recently commenced giving children a grading from E-A on behaviour. I have several reservations about the wisdom behind this approach. First and foremost they are human beings. So who in this world behaves perfectly all the time? Why do we expect our children to be perfect in their actions and reactions 100% of the time. THEY ARE CHILDREN - due to the maturity of their brains they are not going to make good, sound decisions all the time. Cut them a break, they are learning - isn't that what childhood is about, learning. Don't they have enough pressures on them. Why do they have to all of a sudden be little perfect adults in the education system. The education system is not preparing them for real life through this grading system. You do not get graded on your behaviour in your work, at university, at home, as parents, as partners, as community members (unless of course you break the law). Sometimes as adults we strive to do the right thing all the time but it doesn't always work out that way and you do make wrong decisions and behave in ways that in hindsight you wish that you hadn't. That is part of being human.

If they are going along ok and generally do as they are asked and are respectful most of the time to their teachers, peers and the environment isn't that all that really matters. As long as the girls are not having any behaviour issues that are inappropriate and harmful who on earth has the right to grade them. It is a purely subjective assessment anyway. Where are the guidelines and who draws them up. One teacher may see a child's behaviour as creative and questioning and a good thing and another will not.

So what is the point. It will not tell me anything that I don't already know. I know that my girls will try most of the time to do the right thing but sometimes temptations and lack of control means that they wont. That they are kind and caring but sometimes loose their temper and say things they don't mean in the heat of the moment. That they are children who are discovering the world and relationships and through that discovery grow and change in their opinions and the way they act. That I love them no matter what and think that they are fantastic.