School Reports - Do I play 'hard ball'', there is a TV riding on this.

[theITgirl]

DS just finishing yr 6 has a history of getting the equivalent of 'Could Try Harder' throughout juniors. There has never been a problem with his behaviour but he has a tendancy to coast. He does the work but not always to the best of his ability. Last years report was dire (he did have a terrible teacher though).

So last year we said he could have a TV in his bedroom from this summer IF he got a good report and tried to do the best he could.

We should get his report tomorrow (or Monday if the SATS results are not back in time). However pleased/disappointed I am in the SATS results a good report is one where he has tried his hardest. He gets 'scored' on effort as well as attainment.

Effort:
A - Always works with enthusiasm and commitment
B - Works well, usually does his/her best
C - Sometimes works well, but can let him/herself down
D - Disappointing effort, could do better

What do the Mumsnet Jury consider to be good enough.

Note - If he gets a bad report, he will have the chance to get the TV at Christmas or next summer. He needs to show he is trying his hardest though.
Please I need your advice.

I would say he needs to get at least a B.

However I am completly against TVs in kids rooms, so whatever report he gave to me I would say that isn't good enough.

I don't really do rewards for reports but I'd be pleased with a B or higher.

Thanks for the comments. I am not usually one for a TV in the bedroom or rewards for reports, but was willing to try as just wanted him to do his best. I think he is an intelligent child and could do really well if he only bloody tried.
So B's it is.

Just for comparison I did get DD's report today (just finishing year 3) and she got A's for reading, writing and maths - the only subjects she was scored on. And the sort of school report you dream of. I do my best NOT to compare and never out loud. In fact this was one of the major factors in deciding to send DS to a single-sex school so that they cannot be compared.

He's been coasting for the last three years at juniors ?

I think the carrot idea is good but doubt it would be effective at breaking this habit without plenty of stick.

I'd say if he managed to go from D to C that might have taken considerable effort for him.

It's too late now. You have to adhere to the principle of what you've agreed. If he gets above Cs in most things he's doing well and has clearly made an effort. You mustn't ever make a pact with anybody (especially your children) and then back out of it at the last minute. My children are never going to have a computer or TV in their rooms as long as they live in my house, never, not even as adults. (We don't.) The TV and computer are in the dining room in a cabinet. (And if they don't like it they can pay their own rent and live somewhere else.)

Since you've made that agreement be fair and look for the improvements that you seek. If you find them, then buy the TV.

Again not sure that a TV would help next year's report, but a 'good report' I would consider to be B for effort or above. Obviously a 'better report' would be anything above his last one.

I would try to be more specific for the next one, find out how his secondary school (if he is moving) grades effort and then tell him he needs to get at least x number of B or above, and no more than y number of C or lower, or equivalent. Then there is no debate as to how good good is.

Good report means B consistently for me. This can depend on how tough the school is with their marking though - in some schools the A is for exceptional effort only, whereas other schools hand an A out for anything.

Better report depends on what he got last time.

How about if he gets Bs he can have TV in bedroom at weekends. If As he can have it in there permanently.

OK, will try to answer as many as possible

Rosemary, the difficulty is that DS because he is still a good child, there has been nothing to punish. He does his work at school and home he could just put a bit more effort in, rather than that will do. He has never been a D just mostly C with maybe a B, but no A's last year.

Learnandsay - I used to say that, I compromised. BTW we are not buying a TV he is getting (or not) the old CRT TV that is sitting in the attic.

3durracellbunnies - good idea - and we can always take the TV away if he doesn't put in the effort.

Hula. I would like mostly B's a C would be forgiven if he got an A to compensate. They do hand out A's DD has got straight A's for the past 3 years now. (well it used to be 1's, new head so new ways of doing things).

Fatfloosie. Really like your idea, could tie in very nicely with use of the Raspberry Pi - mine arrived today which will live downstairs. However also in the queue for them for the children.

I don't know.

I think you should have established this at the start of the year so that he knew what the goalposts are.

To continue the football analogy (god knows why, I fkn hate football!!) but it's no different to rewarding him for scoring lots of goals without telling him what "lots of" is going to look like and no more than the general direction he's aiming in.

I think mainly Bs and a positive sounding report he's earned the tv, but it comes with the caveat that it disappears immediatelt if his grades drop/he's caught watching it after bedtime.

If he doesn't get mainly Bs but it is still better than last time, perhaps a takeaway/dinner at his favourite (cheap) restaurant instead (so he doesn't give up on trying to improve).

B or A, in the majority of areas.

I would like mostly B's a C would be forgiven if he got an A to compensate.

Agree with this, and would be tempted to insist on at least one A. If really trying he should be able to get an A for effort (not results) in favourite subject(s).

OK. He got out of 4
2 A's & 2 B's

I think he gets the TV - which can always be taken away if I get bad reports from new secondary school. I am pleased with the effort he put in.

Surprise, Surprise the subjects he scored A's for were also his highest SATS scores, this will be pointed out - with a sledge hammer if necessary!!!

Well done DS sounds like he's pulled his finger out whatever the motivation.

to go from mostly C with maybe a B to 2 A's and 2 B's is brill, well done your ds!

Well done to him!

Yes well done to your DS :)
I think he gets the tv too!

Someone said earlier: 'I don't really do rewards for reports but I'd be pleased with a B or higher', BUT I think it's hugely important to recognise these are effort marks, not attainment marks. I do not in any way, shape or form reward expected attainment. I do reward effort (and of course there is direct correlation between good effort leading to higher achievable score- I'm trying, badly, to say that if my DS2 gets a consistent A for effort and a C for actual achievement, providing I trust the integrity of the marking scheme, I know that DS2 is doing the best he can which is rewardable.)

Thank you LittenTree. You said it exactly.
DS has been told he gets the TV, which he is really pleased about, but also knows the TV will be removed for watching after 'lights out' or a bad report.