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| Every child should experience "serendipity"; the search for one thing but, you find another., Jack Prelutsky, Poet |
Benchmarks
A Benchmark is a number grade that the student is striving to achieve in each subject. It is used as a measure for sign off with objectives and; on Unit Tests and Perception Checks to help determine the Flexibility Factor. Past report cards, how successful a student feels and current grades are used in determining a student’s benchmark. The benchmark can be changed through out the term or year.
Every child has a different benchmark. What is “great work” for one student might be just “okay work” for another student.
Perception Checks and Unit Tests
Perception Checks and Unit Tests are a essential part of the program. The students need to be test wise but, not test stressed. A Perception Check is a quiz that reviews the the objectives directly preceding it. Only those objectives covered may be on that Perception Check.
All objectives contained in the Unit are fair game on the on the Unit Test.
Declared Score and Flexibility Factor
A Declared Score is the score that the student figures they will get on the test, after reading through the questions and determining which question they know and which ones they don’t. The student must declare this on a test before they begin writing.
The Flexibility Factor is the amount of leeway a student has from their declared score. A student usually determines this by counting the number of questions they are not sure they will get right. When deciding on the Flexibility Factor the student can not have the final score lower then 5% less then their Benchmark.
For Example:
Student Smith’s Benchmark is 80%.
This means we are looking for scores between 85 and 75.
The test has 10 questions.
Student Smith has chosen a Declared Score of 80%.
This means the student’s Flexibility Factor can be no higher then 5%.
Flex Day
Before each Perception Check and Unit Test there is a Flex Day or partial Flex Day. This is the students opportunity to ask questions on things they do not fully understand, extra study time or prepare for their test (mentally or physically).
Students can decline their Flex Day but, that usually means their Flexibility Factor will increase. This is because the student is saying they know everything, there isn’t another item they could examine, “I have mastered these objectives”.
What Happens If A Student Doesn’t Meet Their Declared Score
If a student does not meet their Declared Score on a Perception Check or Unit Test they must retake the exam.
If they do not meet their Declared Score on the second exam they need to match the exam question to the objectives and redo those objectives. Plus they need to retake the exam again.
If they do not meet their Declared Score on the third exam the student needs to redo all the objectives connected to the exam. They will take another exam after completing this.
Learning Opportunities
Jonathan finds his exams easy. He is becoming a little smug. On his Perception Check he chooses a Declared Score of 97% and makes his declared score 0%. His teacher questions his choice but, Jonathan says, “I’m sure I’ll get that score.” Upon Completion of his “quiz” Jonathan anxiously awaits the results. He received 94% on his Perception Check. Guess what happened...
He had to redo his test.
When asked if he learned anything.
He said, “Yeah. Never, ever put a Flexibility Factor of 0%. Always give yourself some breathing room.”
*Oh by the way, this student was in Grade 6. Pretty impressive that he understands this at that age considering many adults don’t understand this concept.
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