Oops Wrong Rank

[tekki]

Six weeks ago I started a Martial Arts program at a community school in my area. I have eight students aged 6 to 13. They sign up in six week sessions, so I set it up to have them test at the end of every six weeks (I devided the ranks down for more stripes, so that everyone has an opportunity to advance). The six week sessions is set up by the community school, not me.

So today they tested, and it turns out I added wrong and gave the wrong rank. (My calculator was broken so I added the scores by hand). A boy of seven should have gotten a stripe on his White belt, and instead ended up with a Yellow belt. It was a few points difference, but enough to change the rank I gave him. This wouldn't be too big of a problem (I could just grade him harder the next test to even it out...) except a girl in the class aged 9 got nearly identical scores, and only got the White belt with one stripe.

So now I have to decide what to do about it. I won't see the kids for another two weeks, when the next session starts again. I see three options.

Option 1 - Take away the boys rank and give him his rightful White belt with 1 stripe. I don't see this as a good option, because the boy is seven and its hardly his fault I added wrong. This is however the most honest option.

Option 2 - On the first class of the next session, tell the girl and her parents that I added the scores incorrectly and she really earned a Yellow belt. This is not totally true, I did add them incorrectly, but she didn't earn a Yellow belt. This is the fairest option that I can see.

Option 3 - Don't say anything to anyone, at the end of the session come testing it won't make any difference anyways. This is the easiest option, however its not being honest to the two students involved, they simply will have no idea that anything occured.

I have two weeks to find a solution, any ideas will be appreciated.

PS. I make the score sheets on excell. I already set up excell today to add up the scores for me next time. I'll just bring my laptop to the test and enter them on site. This will eliminate the problem occuring again.

The first option is objectively the fairest, but the bad PR that you will generate will far outweigh any benefit you will get from going this way.

The second option as you originally set it forth is a bit shady. There's the danger of putting yourself on the slippery slope of inflating rank. However, I like the approach where you come clean about the error, but tell the yellow belt recipient that you feel he has the potential to grow into the rank however he might not be ready to test for the next rank the next time a grading is held. The benefit of this is that the student will get a shot of confidence, and when he does test for the orange belt (or whatever the next rank would be in your system) he will be that much stronger a player.

The third option, I'm not so crazy about. The rank inflation issue just doesn't sit right with me. I know it isn't much, but I wouldn't want to end up on the slippery slope.

[Sensei Rick]

I'm having the exact same problem. But you are faced with what is an easy solution. He was just a white belt. It's so early. You need not worry; he isn't expected to prove himself this early in the game. I wouldn't change a thing or tell anyone. It can have negative effects on you. YOU STILL have about 5 years to get him to black. He will even out with his peers in the next few testings. It’s not an issue this early in his training. And a low kyu rank isn't an exact science. I used to use a similar scoring system when testing and judging in out tourneys. Then we changed the rules in our sparring from points.. to "who is the more effective fighter" where you truly just watch the fighters and look for effective technique and good strategies and counters. it was a true "eye opener" I look at the big picture now when judging. I decided to do that with my testing too. Believe it or not but I am ending up with students that are a better representation of their rank. I still make notes on a testing paper, but that's only if there is a question from a parent or something. I just look for the big picture. Does the student meet the standard? You might try that one yourself. Good luck.

[marie curie]

What ever happened with this?

[Rateh]

The student who recieved near identical scores never returned.

The student who recieved the wrong rank is doing very well. His technique is progressing along very nicely. He has gained much in respect and discipline. He was disapointed when he did not recieve an orange belt on his next test, because he expected to earn all his ranks as fast. He now understands that he did not receive an orange belt because he has not yet earned it. He works extra hard in class and is determined to earn his orange belt soon.

[bushido_man96]

It sounds like you have a great student there. Keep up the good work!

[Sensei Rick]

but which option did you choose, that's the question that's killing me.

[Rateh]

I chose not to do anything as the student who recieved near identical scores never returned.

[YoungMan]

Tell the girl's parents, but not the girl, about the error. Let them know that, even though she didn't actually test high enough to make yellow belt, you are making her yellow belt along with the boy in the interest of fairness and to keep them equal as much as posible.

Tell them also that both will wait longer to test next time so that each may grow into the rank.

The parents will know the truth, the kids will just think they did really well and should be motivated to practice hard to earn their new rank.

And this early in the game, getting a little higher rank than you deserved should not really matter.

Now, if they were testing for green belt or above, it is imperative you get the testing scores correct.

[ps1]

I chose not to do anything as the student who recieved near identical scores never returned.

It's nice when a problem solves itself sometimes. Now you know to be more careful next time and the student is performing well! Lessons learned by all

[Sensei Rick]

awwww, the procrastinators choice.....a wise one in deed, and..... my all time favorite!!!