Our district is thinking about changing their grading system and there are so many rumors going around that it is hard to keep up with them. Here are some of the controversial points that are sure to bring teachers, parents or students screaming.
1. No grades for homework. Homework should be done to support knowledge but not used as proof of knowledge so students should not get a grade for it.
2. No zero's. Students lowest grade should be 50%.
3. Students should be allowed to retest if they do not do well on the original assessment. They might be given an alternative assessment than the original one. Meaning if the failed a multiple choice test that they can be given an oral presentation to substitute.
4. Students will be graded on their knowledge of each standard. Not really sure how that works but that theoretically you can not continue forward for new knowledge until you show mastery knowledge of the previous standards.
5. Class room work can be collected but not used as a grade. Students would then more likely read the teachers feedback without worrying about the grades.
6. No extra credit for bringing in tissues going to the school play etc.
So what do you think of these ideas. I would love your feedback and try to pass it along to the powers that be. Secondly what might you change in the grading system.
1) agree - if you feel that you need extra practice then do the homework if you think you're fine then don't do it
ReplyDelete2) disagree - if you know nothing your grade should reflect that
3)agree - it supports looking back on material you didn't understand the first time around
4)not sure what exactly they mean
5)disagree - I know quite a few people who would just see that as a reason to not do the class work or at least not try
6) you shouldn't be able to pay money to raise your grade
Teachers should have the freedom to do what they want to with grades so long as it isn't unreasonable or extreme. I don't think the school system should set rigid principles as to what defines students' grades
ReplyDeleteI agree Adam that most of the time when you dictate system wide policy they do not work
ReplyDelete