Grading for Growth: Measuring What Matters in Strength & Speed Programs
#61 - Strength & Speed Coaching - Pursuing Your Best ⚡️
When coaches talk about strength & speed programs inside the school day, one of the first questions always comes up:
“But how do you grade it?”
Some teachers wave it off—“it’s PE, everyone passes.” Others make it so complicated that students, parents, and administrators are confused.
The problem is that grading isn’t just a formality. It shapes how students engage, how parents view your program, and how administrators measure its value. Done poorly, it undermines your culture. Done well, it becomes a tool for buy-in, accountability, and clarity.
Why Grades Shape Culture
Grades send signals:
To students: What you measure tells them what matters. If attendance is all that counts, showing up becomes the ceiling. If effort and discipline matter, those habits take root.
To parents: Clear grading reassures them that their student isn’t just “lifting weights.” They see rigor, structure, and growth being taught and measured.
To administrators: A well-designed grading system proves this is an academic course, not just a glorified study hall. It shows alignment with PE standards (national, state, district) and supports the case for continued resources and staffing.
Grading is culture. And culture is the difference between chaos and consistency.
Common Pitfalls
Many Strength & Speed programs land in one of two extremes:
Too soft: Everyone gets an A as long as they show up. No differentiation, no accountability, and students quickly learn that effort is optional.
Too harsh: Grades tied only to performance metrics (like 1RM or sprint times). That punishes beginners, injured kids, or anyone progressing at a different pace.
Both approaches miss the mark. The goal isn’t to make Strength & Speed “easy A’s” or to create unnecessary barriers—it’s to measure what truly matters: attitude, effort, discipline, progress, and reflection.
A Balanced Framework
At Mustang Strength & Speed, our grading philosophy is built on three standards:
Commitment (Attitude, Effort, Discipline): Respectful, coachable, present, and prepared.
Performance (Strength, Speed, Power): Demonstrating proper technique, completing workouts, and progressing safely.
Vision (Goal Setting, Tracking Progress, Reflection): Setting SMART goals, logging workouts, reflecting on growth.
This framework makes grading fair, consistent, and transparent. Every student can succeed if they show up, give effort, and engage with the process—regardless of their starting point.
Why This Matters for Coaches
If you want your program to be respected—by athletes, parents, and administrators—grading can’t be an afterthought. It’s not about compliance. It’s about clarity.
When you:
Define what’s important (standards),
Measure it consistently (grading framework), and
Communicate it clearly (syllabus, rubrics, & reports),
…you build trust. And trust builds buy-in.
That’s why grading isn’t just a box to check. It’s part of coaching… and obviously, teaching!
My 1st head football coach at Mount Vernon, Lance Pedersen, always said, “Great coaches are great teachers.”
What’s Next in the Strength & Speed Grading Series
Part 2: Attendance & Effort (#62)
Part 3: Skill & Knowledge Assessments (#63)
Part 4: Communicating Grades to Athletes & Parents (#64)
Pursuit PE is Built for Coaches Who Care About Doing it Right.
If you’re not yet a paid subscriber, now’s a great time to upgrade. Each paid issue comes with practical tools—templates, guides, and frameworks—you can apply immediately in your own program.
And if your school is looking for hands-on support, I offer consulting to help districts build and refine Strength & Speed programs—from course design to data systems to culture building.
📩 Reach out here to learn more about how I can help your program take the next step.
Keep pursuing excellence,
Preston
Pursuit PE ⚡️