Grading in education

Grading in education is the process of applying standardized measurements of varying levels of achievement in a course. Grades can be assigned as letters (for example, A through F), as a range (for example, 1 to 6), percentages, or as a number out of a possible total (for example, out of 100). In some countries, all grades from all current classes are averaged to create a grade point average (GPA) for the marking period. The GPA is calculated by taking the number of grade points a student earned in a given period of time of middle school through high school. Grading systems vary in different countries, or even schools.

History

The concept of grading students' work quantitatively was developed by a tutor named William Farish in England in 1792. Before this, education was personalized, with students' work being evaluated in a qualitative manner. Farish's method of grading allowed for more students to be taught simultaneously by standardizing assessments.

Purpose

Grading serves multiple purposes in education. It provides feedback to students about their progress and proficiency. It also serves as a tool for instructors to structure the educational content, identify areas where students need more support, and offer a method to compare student performance. Additionally, grades are used by external bodies, such as universities and employers, to make decisions about admissions and job qualifications.

Methods

Different educational institutions employ various grading methods. Some common ones include:

• Norm-referenced grading: This method compares students against each other, assuming that the achievement level will be distributed across a normative sample (bell curve).
• Criterion-referenced grading: Grades are based on how well students meet the predetermined criteria or learning objectives, rather than how they perform relative to others.
• Absolute grading: This system assigns grades based on a fixed scale of achievement, regardless of the distribution of marks among students.

Impact

The impact of grading can be significant. It can motivate students but also cause anxiety and competition. The fairness and effectiveness of grading practices are often subjects of debate among educators, students, and parents.

Controversies

Critics argue that grading can be subjective, demotivate students, and lead to a focus on grades rather than learning. There is also concern about grade inflation, where grades increase without a corresponding increase in learning.

Alternatives

Some educational institutions have explored alternatives to traditional grading, such as pass/fail systems, narrative evaluations, or portfolio assessments, which focus more on students' learning processes and less on comparative outcomes.

See Also

• Educational assessment
• Academic achievement
• Grade inflation
• Competency-based education