Graham, Sometimes it's difficult to get a reading on student performance early. I've even had students claim I was harassing them when I conveyed their progress to date (I believe this was only their own frustration projected towards me). I think comparing school performance to the work setting is probably the best example we can give students, in an attempt to have it make sense to them and have meaning -- enough to make needed changes. Early on and frequently provides a useful method to steer students towards the direction we want to see. Barry Westling