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 6^th 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.