There have been a lot of discussion of a new grading system that will be put in place next year. The theory behind this grading system is that students get a chance to master their subject. That if you fail an exam you get a chance to retake the exam until you have mastered the content. That would be the same for any assignment given you in class or for homework.
So for example this year I have used the mastery type system a couple of times. After the midterm students were allowed to do test corrections in school from their midterm. Then they had the chance to take their midterm again if they wanted. For most students this was about a two hour investment of their time.
The results were that 18 students decided to retake the exam. Out of those 18 the average score went up 4.5 questions, which is about 7.5%. Since they were both released AP exams, I felt pretty confident that the tests were equal in difficulty and that our students benefited from retaking the tests.
What is being proposed is in the future is to allow all students to be able to retake all exams. That if a student does not hand in the work, they do not get a zero but the chance to hand it in at a later time. If the original essay is a D they get a chance to rewrite the essay with the teachers comments to help guide them
So, currently I use the extra test questions I have to give students as a practice test. If we moved to this type of program I would not be able to issue practice test questions since I would have to use them as mastery re-test questions.
What I would like to know from students is which do you think is more valuable. The chance to retake the test, after doing the notes of the chapter, making test corrections, or would you rather have the practice quiz or test to help you prepare for the exam.
This is a discussion in which you are definitely the experts so please weigh in.
Its a good idea as long as this opportunity isnt avalible for each quiz or test and if the students get an average grade from both tests instead of the higher grade. I feel like the only negatives i see from this is the fact that it doesnt prepare students for college or their future job where you are expected to turn things in on time and with good quality.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. I share some of your concerns. I am also interested do people think losing the practice test would be detrimental.
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