Student Effort – Free Self Assessment
Helping students reflect on their own effort is one of the most valuable ways to build independence, persistence, and self-awareness. When children pause to think about how hard they tried instead of only focusing on the outcome, they begin to develop a growth mindset and stronger self-regulation skills. To make this process easier, we’ve created a free self-assessment on student effort that you can download and use with your students. The first two pages are designed for younger children (with simple YES/NO responses and visuals), while the remaining pages are written for older students who are ready for more reflection.
Why Focus on Effort?
- Builds Growth Mindset: Shifting attention from grades or scores to effort encourages students to embrace challenges and see mistakes as opportunities to learn.
- Supports Therapy Goals: Occupational and physical therapists often focus on persistence, frustration tolerance, and self-regulation. A tool like this connects directly to those goals.
- Promotes Student Voice: Students practice self-monitoring, a key executive function skill, while gaining confidence in their ability to improve.
- Easy to Use: Whether in the classroom, therapy sessions, or at home, the assessments can be a quick check-in or part of a routine.
What’s Included in the Free Effort Self-Assessment
For Younger Children
- Simple YES 👍 / NO 👎 choices
- Visual icons for easier understanding
- A drawing reflection page to show effort through art
For Older Students
- Multiple-choice reflection questions about effort, focus, and responding to mistakes
- A quick results guide to interpret “Mostly A’s, B’s, C’s, or D’s”
- A short writing reflection to recognize strengths and set goals for next time
Growth Mindset Collaborative Poster
How to Use the Effort Self-Assessment
- In the Classroom: Add to morning check-ins, end-of-day reviews, or independent work time.
- In Therapy Sessions: Use after activities to help students connect effort with progress.
- At Home: Parents can encourage reflection during homework or chores, reinforcing that effort matters as much as results.
More Helpful Resources on Growth and Effort
If you want more tools to help your students stay motivated and build resilience, check out these additional resources:
Download Your Free Effort Self-Assessment
Enter your email and download the free PDF self-assessment on effort and start using it today with your students. This tool makes it simple to guide students toward recognizing their effort, celebrating their persistence, and setting goals for future success.
