STUDENT EVALUATION IN A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL—PART 2

A Biblical foundation for student evaluation

It is true to say that the Biblical model of evaluation highlights effort rather than achievement.

We need to reflect, to examine what we are doing in our Christian school to ensure that we conform to this Biblical model. This means, for example, that the teachers need carefully to examine the report that they produce and should ask the question: Do these students reports highlight performance or effort as the primary evaluation criteria? Usually we follow the secular model and highlight the former when the Christian perspective should be to highlight the latter. This can not be done properly with just a grade. The opportunity must be provided for the teacher to make written comments about the way the child is using the talents (gifts) that the Lord has given him/her.

Think of how the Christian teacher should respond to the question of a parent who asks “How is my son doing at school?” If our initial response is that your son is doing well in the subjects, then it is an inappropriate initial response for a Christian teacher to make. It only serves to reinforce to the parent that achievement is our primary evaluation tool. This is wrong. While parents need to know about the general level of their children’s academic ability, our primary focus when responding to parent’s questions should follow the example of our Lord Jesus and should be a reflection upon how well the student is using the academic talents (gifts) that the Lord has given her/him.

This is not to say that we refuse to appreciate individual performance in the Christian school. Students need to know where they stand compared to other students. Excellence deserves to be recognised. Parents need to know whether or not a school that they have considered for their child has a credible record in academics and other school related activities. However, what we are saying here is that this comparison must not be the first concept of worth for children and it must not be the first factor on the students reports that we send home.

For example, I know that I am not allowed to do any bricklaying at home. It is a fact that I will never be able to make a simple wall of bricks because I am not gifted in this area. How do I know this? Well, I see others doing this job better than me. However, I have worked hard to try to build a wall and I was encouraged and recognised by the effort.

DEVELOPING BIBLICAL EVALUATION PATTERNS: PURPOSES OF EVALUATION:

- We can understand evaluation as the process by which we attach a value to student school-based activities

- We then need to ask ourselves about the purposes for which we undertake evaluation in our Christian School.

- We must also be aware that our evaluations are a means to an end, and not the end itself.

- It should be our desire that as a result of our evaluations students will be encouraged to devote time and energy into better time by using God-given gifts and talents to the glory of the Lord and being the salt and light in the community in which God has placed them.

- Evaluation should have a purpose to help the students to think to be more effective in using the gifts that the Lord has given him/her.

- Finally, student evaluation in our Christian school should be interactive—The Student, the Teacher, and the Parent. Students should be encouraged to develop the important skills of evaluating their own work. Later on in life they will have to do this. The school is a good starting point.

- Consider Paul’s desires expressed in his letter to the Philippians— May the love our students have for the Lord abound more and more and be characterised by knowledge & depth of insight so that they can discern what is best. This will only be possible effectively when we desist from transferring secular evaluation patterns into our school and when we help our students, their families, and society to value the worth of a job well done that recognises the Biblical pattern of assessing how well each of our students has used the talents (gifts) that God has given him or her individually. From this evaluation pattern comes true insight and the challenge to use our God-given talents (gifts) in the most appropriate manner.

Emmanuel Christian Community School recognises the student’s gifts in the students reports.

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