At 06:26 p.m. 10/08/2009, Brad Johnston wrote:
>I asked a young person . . . to write a 300-word essay on any 
>subject. . . . "what I did this summer".
>  This is the result. Would some of you who are familiar with the 
> grade level please tell me where this effort might rank with those 
> of similar pedigree? An approximate percentile would be most helpful.
>  Secondly, would you correct it or praise it, uncorrected, for the 
> simple accomplishment? I will try for more in either event. . . .

DD: The student did complete the mission, I gather no penalty for 
exceeding the goal of 300 words. It did describe what he did. Meets 
the goal assigned so at least a C, mentally. I'd fault for awkward 
phrasing, but it least it wasn't in tweet talk or Iphoneisms. I 
understood his message clearly. I'd give a B, mentally. If I were 
tutoring, I'd note each item that needs attention, to bring up later 
as I went on with the instruction. Sort of pep talk, "Very good for 
an entering Junior. You have talent, and I think together we can 
raise you up to the level of a College student, this year." As to 
percentile, I'd say 80th percentile.
I showed this to my daughter who is fairly high up in a Vanderbilt 
Research Lab. She independently said 85%.
Her Daughter, trying out as a school teacher's assistant also said 80% to 85%.
For what it is worth, if I had turned that in at Knoxville High 
School in the late 1940's, I'd have been relegated to  the Vocational 
High School. I asked a University of Tennessee Ornimental 
Horticulture and Landscape Design Graduate about that sod. She said 
the term is usually laying sod, not putting it. Thought that term 
might be regional.
I thank you for sharing this. I get warped dealing with all above 
average IQ's at the Hybrid School.

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