My childrens’ school system instituted a new program this year where I can get their grades via computer weeks before I receive a paper report card. I think it’s great. Marking period ends on a Friday, grades available the following Wednesday. Problems identified earlier, threats made, plan of correction implemented immediately, not several weeks into the next marking period.

Numbered grades are accompanied by comments so you can see exactly how your child is doing and why. A pleasure to have in class. Satisfactory effort. Assigned work not complete. Homework quality must improve. Low test scores. Work improving. Late homework.

I’m proud to say my son (11th grade) missed straight A’s by one point (an 89 in honors social studies). My daughter (8th grade) needs to work on French, social studies, and homework quality. Let the nagging begin!

What does this have to do with writing? I read so many posts from writers upset about receiving form rejection letters. Wouldn’t it be great to get a report  card rejection. Something quick like: A: Better than most but still not there. B: Getting closer. C: Average – need to do something to make yourself stand out. D: Needs a lot of work. F: Didn’t make it past the first page. And a few quick comments would help immensely: Voice is a pleasure to read. Satisfactory punctuation. Plot not complete. GMC (goals, motivation, conflict) must improve. Slow pacing. Saggy middle. Good story – no market. Take a writing class.

So what do you think? Are you all for an industry wide grading scale so you have some idea where you stand? Or have you had enough of report cards while you were in school?