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Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting: Essentials for Principals

Edmund Hayes

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Published in On Your Mark: Challenging The Conventions Of Grading And Reporting (Essentials For Principals)

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Grading and reporting are essential components of the educational system, but they can also be problematic. Traditional grading practices often focus on summative assessment, which can lead to students feeling stressed and anxious. Additionally, grades can be subjective and may not accurately reflect a student's understanding of the material. As a result, many educators are challenging the conventions of grading and reporting and exploring alternative approaches that are more fair, accurate, and meaningful.

On Your Mark: Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting (Essentials for Principals)

by Thomas R. Guskey

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1044 KB
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Print length	:	137 pages

The Problems with Traditional Grading

There are several problems with traditional grading practices. First, they can be subjective. Teachers often use their own judgment to assign grades, which can lead to bias and inconsistency. Second, traditional grading practices can be summative, meaning that they focus on assessing students' learning at the end of a unit or course. This can lead to students feeling stressed and anxious, as they may feel like they have only one chance to prove their understanding of the material. Third, traditional grading practices can be unfair. Students who are not good at standardized testing, for example, may be penalized, even if they have a deep understanding of the material.

Alternative Approaches to Grading and Reporting

There are several alternative approaches to grading and reporting that can address the problems with traditional practices. One approach is to use formative assessment, which is ongoing assessment that is used to provide feedback to students and help them improve their learning. Formative assessment can be used to assess students' understanding of the material throughout the unit or course, rather than just at the end. Another approach is to use standards-based grading, which is based on students' mastery of specific learning standards. Standards-based grading can help to ensure that students are meeting the expectations for their grade level and that they are prepared for success in college and career.

The Role of Principals in Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting

Principals play a critical role in challenging the conventions of grading and reporting. They can create a school culture that supports alternative approaches to grading and reporting, and they can provide teachers with the resources and training they need to implement these approaches. Additionally, principals can advocate for changes to district and state policies that support alternative grading and reporting practices.

Challenging the conventions of grading and reporting is an important step in creating a more fair, accurate, and meaningful educational system. Alternative approaches to grading and reporting can help to reduce student stress and anxiety, and they can help to ensure that students are meeting the expectations for their grade level. Principals play a critical role in challenging the conventions of grading and reporting, and they can create a school culture that supports alternative approaches to grading and reporting.

Relevant Long Descriptive Keywords for Alt Attribute

* Girl sitting at desk looking stressed about traditional grading practices * Teacher using formative assessment to provide feedback to students * Standards-based grading rubric * Principal meeting with teachers to discuss alternative grading and reporting approaches

On Your Mark: Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting (Essentials for Principals)

by Thomas R. Guskey

4.5 out of 5