Who ensures “excellence” in an Acton Academy studio?  The Acton Eagles, of course.

But shouldn’t an adult be grading papers, handing back drafts covered with red ink?  Well, in a word, “no.”

First, criticizing a young person for grammar errors seldom leads to a love of writing.

Secondly, a single teacher can’t provide enough one on one customized writing critique; and

Finally, an adult issuing judgment robs young people from learning how to offer powerful critique, which in itself buildings writing skills and enthusiasm.

So we trust young people to hold high standards, whether in approving a Genre Badge (for writing) or offering between three and five in-depth critiques during the development of each finished piece.

Personal Finance is this session’s genre, where each Eagle will face an opponent to  debate real-world  questions like “Is College Worth the Cost,” or “Should I buy life insurance?”

This week the studio was abuzz with practice debates and high-quality critique offered in small groups and in front of the entire studio.

At the end of each rehearsal warm/cool or Six Traits critique was offered to support rewrites and subsequent rehearsals, with comments like: “Strong  evidence to back up your points, but your tone sounded too combative” or “Your opening statement hooked me and was supported by compelling evidence but your closing lacked a clear call to action.”

Lesson learned: our Eagles don’t need an adult to hold high standards or improve their writing and critical thinking.  A peer is a far better substitute.  Because young people are far more capable than we ever imagine.