Duckworth has developed a grit scale which has proven to predict outcomes such as graduation. Sample items from the scale include, "I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge," Setbacks don't discourage me," and "I finish whatever I begin." Duckworth also recommends that to foster grit, parents must be "really, really demanding, and be very, very supportive." We could translate those words to the work we do as learning assistance practitioners and developmental educators: We set rigorous standards for our students, and we create a strong support system to facilitate their achievement.
Do you think that administering the grit scale and then discussing it with students would help foster achievement? Would it be a base from which to teach them what grit is all about? How would it help us in the field of learning assistance and developmental education?