Effective Grading Author: Douglas B. Reeves

The use of zeros for missing work

There is evidence that grading as punishment does not work and the mathematical flaw in the use of the zero on a 100-point scale.

The practice of using the average of all scores throughout the semester

A formula that presumes that the learning early in the semester is as important as learning at the end of the semester.

The use of the "semester killer" ---the single project, test, lab, paper, or other assignment that will make or break students

This practice puts 18 weeks of work at risk based on a project that might, at most, have consumed four weeks of the semester.

Create a sense of urgency

Identify the exact cost of inconsistent grading practices

Identify teacher leaders who are already improving policies

Chances are that some teachers in your school have already eliminated the use of ineffective grading policies

Get the facts; gather evidence that will create a rationale for decision making

At the end of the day, your choices about teaching practice must be guided by evidence, not opinions

reassure parents, students, and teachers that certain things will not change

Make sure that everyone knows that all students will be graded on the same playing field.

Some of these failures are no doubt caused by excessive absences and poor student performance

The stakes of grading practices are not limited to student failure

When grading policies improve, dicipline and morale almost always follow

When school take steps to reduce failures, lots of good things happen.