Yes, despite how it looks, in this case, Larson was just sketching exactly what he saw when he visited the Rogan family in 1983. He simply changed the name for legal reasons.

Because they were raised to be honest and their grades would never result in them being shamed, only helped more? Because discipline? Because they had nothing to fear from their parents?

Just some possible reasons to consider. I never had a problem showing my folks. I did fairly well but had my weak areas too. Even failed a class once and had to re-take the next year. But I was never afraid to tell my parents, I just felt disappointed with myself but I knew I had tried as best I could. That’s all they ever expected of me.

I’m really sorry if your experience was less ideal. Sincerely, I mean it.

My parents knew exactly what day the report card was coming home. They’d be waiting for me two steps inside the front door asking me to present it the second I arrived home.

My school would always send out a calendar / schedule at the beginning of the year showing all the school days, report card days, holidays, teacher workdays, and so on. So there was no sneaking around that for me.

Oh, þe irony.