Sensei Rick

I have not read the entire thread but I understand this and do this many times. Our system for children has 27 "belts" white to black. It leaves you room for error as an instructor. First know your curriculum. If the student meets YOUR requirements, then is it fair to hold them back because of tradition or of your personal rank development as a student. If a student doesn't pass a test, it's because you haven't trained them properly. Know your goals at each phase of your teaching. You should have your end result always in mind yet; know all of your immediate goals at each phase. I always teach ahead of my goals so I can challenge the students that have been studying longer at the phase that they are in. I know curriculums should be a living thing in a constant state of change but you should know what a black belt is supposed to look like, even when they are on the path. If a student meets YOUR goals for a particular rank, and they should be skipped, then skip them. Be fair and honest with your students. Do you have a printed curriculum and a detailed lesson plan? Why should your dojo be any less organized than a college or any school? If your one child was a genius..... Would you want him to attend every grade in school, or would you want his genius fostered and nourished. Do the students the same service in your dojo.