We mark their maths and aren't impressed
by the knowledge that they show
but know they're not among the best
and the standard is quite low.

Then from the impersonal page the zest
of character gleams through;
with no more literacy blessed
their comments still ring true.

Explain your answer: "I just guessed."
Too honest or naive?
Not what's supposed to be assessed -
refusal to deceive !

A chance to get things off their chest:
"I'm sorry. I don't know"
"I never understood the rest."
"It's just that I'm so slow."

Perhaps their maths should not be stressed
more than their virtues, though
we emphasise what we can test
not what we ought to know.