A Repair Kit for Grading: 15 Fixes for Broken Grades Julie
Sjol
After reading this book, I have to agree that there is a
need for a change in the grading system but I wonder what the implications are
if that isn’t consistent in all classes, in all schools and even in all states.
I have more questions now than I had before reading the book. It made me wonder if my student’s grades
would have been different during my years of teaching 6th grade if I
would have implemented the idea of using other measures of central tendency and
didn’t accept zeroes at all.
I do believe that a student should be graded on what they
have mastered by the end of the grading period, but I also know of many
students who are not good test takers and would have much lower grades if
homework wasn’t included in their grade.
I agree that maybe you wouldn’t be able to say they have ‘mastered’ the
curriculum or concepts but the student probably does have a good work ethic if
all homework and assignments are complete and they are able to “locate
information and answers” because we all know that can be an indication of
future success.
I feel that a new way of grading is going to have to be
gradual and in steps so that everyone from students and parents to teachers and
college professors will understand this and it will ensure that students are
college ready.
Another thought: I do
question the idea of using ‘professional judgement’ because I wonder if that
will be fair. I wonder if a student could get an unfavorable grade or the
opposite, depending on how well the student gets along with the teacher.
My favorite fix is #15 – allowing students to have a key
role in assessment and grading. When
students are allowed to be involved in the grading process they will more
likely to know what’s going on, to self- advocate, to reflect on their own
behavior and habits, and to make necessary changes to improve.
