A long class discussion today left me wondering about the grading system in school. For years I have been both frustrated and saved by grades and points. I have received some grades i think should be higher, and ones that honestly should have been lower. The problem is that a percentage grade does not always tell how much someone learned. When grades that are determined by points, students often lose focus on the actual material. They worry about the number of points they receive on an assignment instead of actually learning, what school is really all about.
But, is it fair for a teacher to give grades based on how they feel a student is doing? One could argue that teachers might be bias and give students higher or lower grades for unjust reasons. The point system can be fair because it is the same for everyone.
If there are no grades, as new classes at our high school are attempting, then there is no real measure of a students progress that others can see. But then another point comes up, who are grades really for? Most kids would say that they are for the colleges that want to get into. So then, how should grades be given out? What do you think is the right way to do it?
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Well B flann i also posted about this same discussion and i feel like if some classes do not have grades that would be better for many students. Because when it comes down to grades the student doesnt care about the material. Even if the material really grabs the students attention the second a grade becomes a part all intres' in the subject goes down the drain. And all the focus on is the A instead of the facts of the project and what they may learn.
ReplyDeleteBut for the teachers there is a time and place for grades and that it up to them to decide when the grades should be given.
B.Flan,
ReplyDeleteNice to hear you holla at me about grades. Your reflections are philosophical, but it'd be nice to see you make them a little more concrete. Also, you might extend our class discussion to the "larger world" by finding another source to endorse or argue with.
Overall, though, good job.