Well, it turns out that reports cards are just about the easiest thing in the world to put together, thanks to technology and awesome software programs. Copy. Paste. Insert {Given Name} here, {he/she} there. Click the: Save For All Students. Then hit the: Add Line button for this student... voila! Twenty individualized report cards!
Nevertheless, there still were many teachers here at the school stressing out over their report cards. Why? Because they don't enter any assignment marks into the system until a few days before the report cards must be finished. Remind any of you of University?
Ahh University. All those students who leave their essays until the last possible minute. Then, with a series of all-nighters, a few gallons of coffee, and several crying-fests, somehow an entire semester of work gets completed in just one week! How efficient! How stupid!
How dangerous!
I remember at the end of my first year in the Education program at Redeemer I was talking to a guy in my class (one of the few males in the program). He had roughly 3 days left to complete an entire semester of work. He had just started an essay which had been due three days earlier. He hadn't even started THE major teaching unit which was due the next day. And he somehow had to write a few exams throughout all of this. We sat there in the computer lab. I tried to say something encouraging to him, but it was very clear that the situation was hopeless. I wished him luck and left.
I never saw him again.
That's probably for the best. If he did make it as a teacher, dare I say he wouldn't be able to get his report cards done in time. There are no second chances or rain checks with report cards. Either you get them out on time, or the principal will find another teacher who can. It's simple and fair.
So, today I get to hand out report cards to my little students. Like I said, it's not that difficult. Now... having to meet all their parents next week... that might not be so easy.
