Since my child began online schooling in the fall of 2020, he has encountered an interesting aspect of education: the ability to resubmit assignments or retake tests. If he’s dissatisfied with a grade, he has the opportunity to attempt it again for a better score.
Initially, the concept of allowing resubmissions struck me as questionable. Would he truly learn through this method? Isn’t it akin to cheating to be able to correct mistakes after discovering what went wrong? Wouldn’t everyone achieve straight A’s if this were the case? And what about those students who put in significant effort and earn an A on their first attempt? Shouldn’t their achievements be reflected more favorably than someone who scores a C, then a B, and finally an A?
However, I soon discovered that, in my child’s online schooling setup, it’s not a matter of simply revising the original assignment or test. He must redo the entire task, which means that questions are shuffled, some are omitted, and new ones are introduced.
This isn’t an easy fix. To truly enhance his grade on subsequent attempts, he must invest time to study. His desire to avoid unnecessary extra work motivates him to focus and perform well the first time. He understands that if I notice a decline in his overall performance or a lack of effort, I will require him to redo assignments and tests.
I’ve observed that when he revisits an assignment, he gains more than just a higher grade. If he performed poorly, it often stemmed from distractions or missing essential information. By redoing the work, he identifies his mistakes, reinforces his understanding, and ultimately retains the knowledge better. Instead of moving on with gaps in his comprehension, he builds a strong foundation for future learning. Mastery is, after all, the goal.
A tweet from 2019 by educator Jamie Lee has gained attention recently, emphasizing this principle. “Yes, your 5th grader can redo any test or quiz. I’m an adult who values grace and mercy, so I extend that to kids,” she shared.
In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, many educators have begun reevaluating their grading approaches. Recognizing the anxiety students face, they’ve adapted their expectations by allowing resubmissions and retests. Some have been practicing this for some time.
Jessica, a high school teacher in California, states that in her classroom, it has long been common to permit students to make up nearly all assignments. “Learning comes from revising and editing,” she explains. “Denying students this opportunity deprives them of the chance to learn from their errors.” She also highlights the diverse backgrounds of her students. Rigid rules can be unfair to those who have faced trauma compared to those from more stable environments.
In Florida, homeschooler Alex Grant employs a similar “try again” philosophy with her children. “When they struggle on tests, we discuss it together,” she notes. “It’s pointless to rush ahead if they haven’t grasped the foundational concepts.”
Many students require repetition to solidify their long-term memory. Some experience anxiety during tests, and multiple attempts can help alleviate those nerves, resulting in a grade that accurately reflects their understanding. Others may be non-native English speakers. There are countless reasons why strict adherence to deadlines and final grades isn’t always appropriate, and sometimes it can be downright counterproductive.
This isn’t to say that teachers should provide endless chances for revisions to the point of overwhelming themselves with additional work. Clearly, it’s essential to teach children the importance of meeting deadlines as part of their preparation for adulthood. Building in opportunities for resubmission does not equate to eliminating accountability. Balance is crucial.
We often talk about preparing students for the “real world” as if adulthood does not involve growth or second chances. However, becoming a capable adult—both in personal and professional realms—often requires experiencing failure, revising one’s efforts, and starting anew. The ultimate goal of education is not just to acquire knowledge but to learn how to learn effectively.
So, why limit students to a single opportunity? Why not provide them with the chance to learn from their mistakes? If a student expresses a desire to improve, it is our responsibility to allow them that opportunity. As Jessica says of her students, “If a child is willing to put in the effort to improve, what kind of teacher would I be if I denied them that chance?”
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Summary:
Encouraging students to resubmit assignments and retake tests fosters mastery of subjects and allows them to learn from their mistakes. This practice helps students build a solid foundation of knowledge and prepares them for real-world challenges. The importance of growth and second chances in education cannot be overstated, as they mirror the experiences of adulthood.