All educators agree that grades should motivate and measure learning fairly. However, not all grading system do. Alternative grading systems are being used by educational leaders all over the country to promote more equitable student development.
The Limitations Of Letter-based Grading
The letter-based system of grading can have significant limitations that can lead to inconsistent results and widen the achievement gap.
Grading Methods That Are Inconsistent
The letter grades assigned to students can be a poor indicator of their learning and performance. There is a lack of in-depth training for educators when it comes best practices and research on grading. Teachers use a variety of grading methods as a result.
- You can grade students by weighing soft skills such as behavior, test scores and attendance.
- Forming grades that are based on the combination of academic achievement and student effort
- The grades are based solely on the academic performance and the completed assignments
Grades matter. The grade-point average is used to determine whether a student will be accepted into college, receive a scholarship, or other opportunities. The wide range of what a letter can represent is a flawed and unfair system. “A” work for one teacher may be “C” to another.
Implicit Bias
Like everyone else, educators can have unconscious attitudes which affect their understanding of their students, based on factors such as race, class, gender and other factors. These implicit biases may influence the way teachers view student behavior and effort. They may lower scores for some students unfairly because of their biased perceptions.
Research has shown, for example, that when it comes to judging the effort and participation of students, white teachers tend give Black students lower grades than white students. These lower grades may prevent students from gaining access to educational opportunities, and thus widen the gap in student achievement.
There Are 6 Alternative Grading Systems
There are several alternatives that educators can use to the traditional system of letter-based grades. Consideration should be given to each alternative method. These approaches change the focus of learning and promote student development.
1. Mastery-Based Learning
The mastery-based approach to education helps students develop a set skills that are appropriate for their grade level. Students progress to the next grade level once they are proficient in a particular skill. In a math lesson, for example, students might work on mastering their multiplication tables. Once they have demonstrated competency for a certain number of times, students move on to the next skill.
Students who struggle don’t receive failing grades. They continue to practice the concepts until they understand them, and then they move on. Teachers provide students with updates about their progress and what they need to learn. Students can move up to the next grade if they have mastered the necessary skills by the end the year.
Students can progress at their own rate. Slower learners will still have time to excel while faster learners can progress quickly.
2. Pass/Fail
The systems of pass/fail are simple. Students are either given credit or not for a course. This binary approach allows for students to progress as long as they finish the work above a failing threshold.
This system of grading can help students feel less pressure to achieve high grades. This pressure can interfere with learning. Sometimes, grades can be a temptation for students to cheat. It can also cause students to give up and quit trying. This results in missed opportunities to learn. The focus is shifted away from grades, and grades are no longer used as rewards. Instead, learning becomes the reward.
Students are redirected when grades are not the focus. Students who would have given up extracurricular activities to achieve all As in a traditional system of grading can broaden their view of school success. Pass/fail can also reduce competition.
Students can focus on their own goals and learning process rather than focusing on who gets the best grades. The pass/fail method offers relief to struggling students and allows them to focus on the areas they need to improve.
3. Live Feedback
Live feedback is the process of giving constructive criticism and advice to students as they work. Instead of receiving a grade at the end, students get guidance and feedback from their teachers as they work.
Live feedback emphasizes collaboration between students and teachers. Teachers guide students, addressing their individual needs. When they do not understand something immediately, students feel guided and encouraged.
Live feedback gives teachers valuable insights into student progress in real-time. This helps teachers better determine what material to cover in lessons and the pace of instruction.
4. Self-Assessments
Students can also track their progress by using self-assessments. Students evaluate the quality of their work in relation to the standards and goals that are relevant to a particular assignment. They can identify their strengths as well as weaknesses.
Self-assessment can be reflective. Students can monitor their own learning by establishing performance measures. Students also take ownership of their own learning. Students can become better problem solvers by using self-assessments. Processes are more important than end results.
5. Digital Portfolios
Digital portfolios are collections of multimedia student work. These portfolios allow students and teachers to showcase the best of their work.
Students are asked to explain their portfolio pieces. They can then reflect on their own work. Portfolios are also a great way for teachers and students to evaluate each other’s progress. Portfolios typically include work that was completed throughout the year. Students can reflect on their learning and growth by selecting representative pieces.
Portfolios give students many opportunities to show that they have met learning standards and objectives. Students can, for example, include a project where they have skillfully analyzed Macbeth, even if they did not do well in an exam on literary analysis.
6. Gamification
Gamification is the application of game design principles to education in a manner that tracks student progress. It makes mastering skills and subject matters into a fun game. Gamification is a motivating and fun alternative to traditional letter grades.
Teachers can, for example, replace letter grades with a point system. Students can earn points for a variety of achievements. Students can purchase badges to show that they have mastered concepts or skills. This method turns homework and class into a way to progress, like a video game. This process can be inspiring.
Create More Equitable Learning Environments With A Doctorate In Education
Assessment strategies are required to find effective grading methods that motivate students and measure student learning fairly. Education leaders should examine how alternative grading schemes can help achieve these goals, while also addressing issues like implicit bias and differences in grading methods. Grading in Los Angeles is a critical area of focus, given its diverse student population and educational challenges.
