Why Good Grades Don’t Necessarily Mean Effective Learning

Why Good Grades Don’t Necessarily Mean Effective Learning

Good grades don’t always show how much effort learning takes. We’ll explore what a report card reveals about results—and what it can tell us about the way a child learns.

A child may achieve strong results but spend a great deal of time preparing or need frequent help. Another may study independently, yet their knowledge may not be reflected in their grades as expected. That’s why it’s worth looking at the process behind the results too: how your child breaks down tasks, what they remember, and when they lose confidence. This gives you a fuller picture than the numbers on a report card alone.

Interested in this topic? Read more: Report card as a reflection of effectiveness: What does it really say about your child? Want to find out where you stand personally? Take a short test at the end of the page and gain a better understanding.

How does this apply to you? Choose the answers that describe you best:

Imagine that your child brings home straight A's. What is your first thought?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

The child comes with three threes and one four. How do you respond?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

When you hear the word "success" in relation to your child, what comes to your mind?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

If you had to compare the school system to something everyday, what would it be?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

The child is afraid to go home after a bad test. What will you do?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

What does a child's report card really reflect, in your opinion?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

Imagine that grades did not exist. How would you know that a child is developing?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

How do you perceive the word "potential" in the context of a child?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

What would you like your child to think about themselves after reading their report card?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

Which of the following images most evokes your expectations of a child?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

It's not just a piece of paper: What does (not) a report card reveal about your child?

Get an evaluation of your answers

Enter your email to create an account and link this test to it. After you submit all 10 answers, we’ll show your evaluation on the page and email you a link.