Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Home › Authentic Assessment ›

Reply to comment

Edward Bujak's picture

Does the nomenclature of the grade matter? It's how the grade w

Submitted by Edward Bujak on Fri, 07/24/2009 - 4:49pm.

This is a classic!

A, B, C, D, F

4, 3, 2, 1, 0

exemplary, excellent, satisfactory, acceptable

does it really matter?  Its this a Potato/potatoe issue?

You say "'A' seems very quantitative" ... really?  I would argue that I really hate lumping all the students who EARNED a grade in the 90-100 range because it equates those who earned a 90.001 with those who earned a 99.999.  I do not think that is fair and certainly these students are at different levels and not just an 'A.'

I also would argue that having more steps (like A+,A,A-,B+,B,B-,...) is NOT the solution.  If this were the case I would simply argue to stop all this subtrafuge (Wil's word) and just give the numeric grade that the student earned.

I really think the answer is to grade each student NOT on an absolute scale, but on a PERSONAL relative scale.  This involves a lot of work by the teacher to really know each student's capabilities, strengths, and yes, content knowledge .. then grade each on their personal growth (progress), personal strategies (process), and personal work (product). 

Why do most of us associate differentiation with instruction?  I say differentiate EVERYTHING ... including assessment.

 

Reply

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
1 + 3 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities

Scanning electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2

Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities has 50 remote-ready activities, which work for either your classroom or remote teaching.

Narrative is determined not by a desire to narrate but by a desire to exchange. (Roland Barthes, S/Z)

What's New? Subscribe to Serendip Studio