What this means for you

The new grading model was built with every person in the CPA community in mind — students, teachers, and parents.

For students

Your grade will finally show all of who you are

Under the old system, a student who showed up every session, worked hard, asked great questions, and lived out their faith could still get a low grade if they did badly on tests. That was unfair.

The new model fixes that. Your grade now reflects how you show up, how prepared you are, how you grow over time, and how you explain what you learned in your scheduled meeting with your teacher. If you struggle on multiple-choice tests but can explain ideas clearly and defend your work in a real conversation, your grade will show that.

"You cannot fake a real conversation with your teacher. And you should never have to."

[OK]

Your honesty is protected

When you explain your learning live in your scheduled meeting, no one can question whether the work was yours.

[*]

Effort and character count

Showing up on time, being prepared, engaging daily, and living out your values now earn real points.

[>]

You can bounce back

A bad week does not define you. You can bring older work to later meetings and show your growth.

[mic]

You learn to speak for yourself

Talking through your learning every session builds skills you will use in college, job interviews, and beyond.

[h]

Your faith life is recognized

Living out your Faith-in-Action standards now carries real weight in your grade — not just a pat on the back.

[^]

You are in charge of your story

The reflection and portfolio let you decide what to present. You own your progress.

For teachers

Teaching the way it was always meant to be

Teaching was never supposed to be about collecting stacks of papers. It was supposed to be about relationships — a mentor and a student, thinking and growing together.

The new model gives teachers back what made them want to teach in the first place — real conversations with real students, where professional judgment and personal mentorship are the most important tools in the room.

The old teacher role

xGrading submitted work of uncertain origin

xRunning AI detection tools on student papers

xReporting scores that may not reflect real learning

The new teacher role

+Meeting one-on-one with each student every scheduled session

+Asking questions that reveal what a student really knows

+Grading what they witness in real time

Under the new model, a teacher’s professional opinion is formally part of the grade. The Teacher Conviction component exists because no computer can replace the judgment of a trained educator who has met with a student all semester in scheduled sessions.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

2 Timothy 2:2

For parents

A grade you can trust

When your student earns a grade under this model, that grade reflects their attendance, their preparation, their verified understanding, their faith in action, and their growth over time — not just a score from a computer-graded test.

[doc]

Grades you can trust

An 85% in this model means your student showed up, was prepared, defended their learning, and engaged with their faith.

[cal]

You can sit in on the meeting

Parents are always welcome at the scheduled teacher meeting.

[up]

Growth you can see

The weekly reflection and portfolio build a running picture of your student’s progress all semester.