How Does It Work? Scoring

    It's been a little while since we have done a "How Does It Work?" post.  These posts explain the ideas behind the procedures that are a part of the ACE curriculum.   In this post, the scoring procedure will be explained in detail, including the benefits of having your student check and grade their own work.

     "Scoring" is the process in which the student takes the work that they have completed and checks it against a Score Key which has the correct answers in it.  Throughout the PACE, there are specific places where the student is required to stop, raise their flag to get a supervisor's attention, and ask permission to score the last few pages of their work.  The supervisor then looks over the completed work, asks the student to quote from memory the Scripture verse found at the beginning of the PACE, and signs the strip which gives the student permission to score.  Then the student goes to the designated scoring stations in the middle of the Learning Center, retrieves their correct Key, and uses a red pen to compare their work to the Score Key.  A red "X" is placed by any incorrect answer, and the student then returns to their office to make any necessary corrections.  After these have been made, the student raises their flag again and receives permission to restore their incorrect answers.  A circle is placed around the red X if the answer is correct and the student returns to their office to continue with their daily goals.  

    The benefits of this process are many.  The process of reading and carefully looking at each answer reinforces the learning of the material.  Also, the student benefits from learning the very important ability of beings responsible for holding themselves to a standard.  They must learn to understand that they are not always correct, and to correct themselves.  

     Probably the most important aspect of the scoring process is the development of character in the student.  Because they are expected to correct themselves, they must learn to develop the required character traits of humility and thoroughness that it takes to complete the scoring correctly.   They are also taking the responsibility of learning to manage their time and energy to be successful in their work.  

    Usually, the first thing that crosses parent's minds when they are new to the ACE program is "Well, that seems an easy way to cheat.  You are giving them the answers!"  Yes, we are.  And yes, the temptation to take shortcuts is there.  And we have seen just about all the ways that a student can think of to find these shortcuts!  There are several stop-gaps in place to bring any misuse of the procedures to the supervisor's attention.  Scoring takes place in the center of the room, under the notice of the supervisors.  The PACE completion guidelines are also helpful in catching any carelessness in the scoring process.  And PACE tests are always a good indicator of what a student actually knows.  If a student makes a very low grade or fails a PACE test, but their work throughout the PACE has been perfect, it raises a red flag.  The supervisor then can look through the PACE and speak with the student if there is a need.  

     Another concern many parents have is that the scoring process is to "complicated" for their student to handle.  It takes too much time away from their other work; you can't expect them to be able to follow through with the more complex scoring; they are not mature enough to handle the responsibility -- these are all excuses parents have made for their students when scoring has become an issue.  However, the ACE Procedures Manual says it best: "Even a second level student can score Physics."  Because the issue is simply one of matching.  The student must be trained that "close enough" is not good enough!  If your answer does not match the Score Key (with rare exceptions), then your answer is incorrect.  

     The scoring process is an important step in training a student to take responsibility for their own learning, which is the goal of the ACE program.  Of all the processes in this curriculum, it is the one that really puts the character of the student to the test.  Shortcuts during in scoring procedures leads to lazy students, poor performance, and low test grades.  Review of the material and the correct answer during the scoring process cements the knowledge in the student's mind.  

     I hope this look into another important aspect of the Learning Center has helped you understand a little more about what takes place in your student's daily school responsibilities.  Encourage your student to take the job of scoring very carefully, and to be diligent and honest in this process every day.  They will be better students and grow in character when they put into practice the traits they have been studying in their PACEs!