There is no such thing as a grade level. There is just life.

         

I read a post on social media recently about how there is no such thing as a grade level. In school we always say a child is reading at a 3rd grade level in 2nd grade. That means they are high achievers. Or a kid is reading at a 2nd grade level in 4th grade. They are below the standard and not a high achiever.

The idea seems like a good way to standardize the teaching process and make assessments on the kids. I have no problem with children or adults being graded. I have no problems with levels of achievement set forth for people to obtain. Those are the same as goals in life. You set a goal that seems far out and you work to achieve that goal. 

Do we teach young people in that manner though? We currently as a nation rank very low in reading, writing, math, and science levels compared to other civilized nations. Yet we spend more as a country on education than most other countries combined. Why is that? 

I do not claim to have the magic formula or answer to this question. What did we use to teach children that we don’t anymore? P.E. is there to teach your children the importance of physical activity. Health class was to teach about the right choices to be made in your eating habits, taking care of your body, and hygiene. 

When a kid does not graduate high school, or cannot read or write at an adult level, there is no one person to blame. The question you have to ask is, how were they taught? Teaching comes from the home, outside world, and school. So if a person cannot do something basic, where is the breakdown? 

Many want to blame the teachers; others say it’s home life. The answer is, it’s D - all the above. People learn in different forms and fashions. I used to sit and watch the best fitters at shows and learn to do it myself. I watch cooking shows for tips and ideas to do things better or easier in the kitchen. I read all the time to be a better writer. 

People’s talents and success are their own. They have to be taught to foster those attributes. People, especially kids, need to be taught how to read at their level. Write at their level, and do math at their level. Once they achieve their own personal level, we teach them to take the next step to the larger goals. 

This is where life gets complicated. We run out of time, money, teachers, and sometimes patients in the process. If a parent or advisor wants to take time and interest in their kids education. No schoolboys, administrator, or even teacher should stand in the way. Sometimes our schools are too busy building state of the art classrooms, when the most brilliant minds in the world learned with a pencil, paper, and chalkboard. 

As we become adults we learn to adapt and survive in ways we never imagined. Our purpose should be to give those same skills to our children. Teach them that they have to work for a better life, not be handed it on a smartphone. We have to teach children the way they learn best. It’s hard to do. I know many teachers I had growing up spent time with those kids that needed extra help. I am sure many still do. 

We should not teach people to a grade level. We should teach them to who they are and their own level. I’m 46 and still learning everyday. We all should. I will never be the smartest person in a room. We should surround ourselves with those that are and learn from them daily. There is no difference in our kids. They deserve to be in the room with the smarter kids. Most of them will help those in need get to a higher level. 

“I didn’t find a passion for reading until I was a sophomore in high school. My mom always read. An English teacher gave me a book that spoke to me and helped foster that passion.” -Jeremy Workman