Normal grading practices start at 0. Students are at a blank slate and have to show knowledge to earn points and work their way towards an A.
I say let’s work backward. Let’s start our kids off at a
100. Let’s assume they know it all until they show us differently. This grading
practice still keeps an A in the range 93-100, B 85-92, C 75-84 and a D 70-73.
However the F range goes from a 0-69 scale (traditionally) to a 50-69 scale.
Why must students have to make it all the way to 70 points
just to pass?
Let’s say you’re in math, a disliked subject. Your teacher
gives you back you test with a grade of 30. How do you feel about yourself? Demoralized? A 30
is so far from passing right? Let’s change the scenario. Your teacher passes
back you test and this time it is a 60. You know you still failed… The
difference is you are not so disappointed or torn apart by that grade. A 60 is
almost passing. A 60 can be easily brought up by studying again, coming to tutoring, and retaking the test. A 60 gives hope while a 30 does the opposite.
It tears you down. You think there is no way I can learn this. I’m just not
good at math.
Now, in a traditional class you would have homework,
quizzes, participation, or extra credit to bring up that 60 to a passing grade
and eventually pass the class if you were a hard worker. You could probably
fail every test and still pass the course.
This can't happen in my class because I only grade tests
(and homework but it counts for less than 5% of their grade). "But kids won't do it if it is only worth very little points ..." I’ve learned
students will still do homework, even if it is worth 1 point a day. They want
to learn and receive praise from their teacher for trying. Students eventually
learn that doing the homework will benefit them on the test which counts for
the most points. Only grading tests allow students to focus on their learning
and mastering the material. They know they have to learn the material if they
want to pass. This also doesn't allow students to pad their grade with homework and participation points.
I’ll close with Drake lyrics…
“Started from the bottom now we’re here.”
Let’s start from the top and go from there.
