Tipping the Grading Scale

There is a moment of truth when a teacher returns a test. A moment when a single letter grade can elicit an immediate feeling of success or failure by a student. But many schools are divorcing these regimented grading methods and opting for a more in depth “essay-like” style of grading.

Some parents and students prefer the written method because bad grades can discourage a child who may simply need extra time and attention.

“I’d rather want to do it for just learning it then getting a grade,” said Molly, 12 years old.

Others feel that the traditional letter grading system offers positive reinforcement. They contend that children will be more likely to strive if they can see the fruits of their efforts by a large letter A, rather than a paragraph.

Experts say the letter grading system is not the problem as much as how teachers and students deal with the system.

Dr. Frank Pajares, an educational psychologist, says that the focus needs to be in making people better evaluators of the students “pursuing the rigors and meeting the standards.”

What Parents Should Know

Although letter grades can offer positive reinforcement and encouragement to succeed, for students who perform poorly it can cause increased anxiety and even contribute to lack of self-confidence.

Studies indicated that students benefit greatly from teacher feedback. Whether they passed, failed, or scored in the middle somewhere, kids need to know why they scored what they scored, and suggestion as to how to improve in the future. If presented correctly, children tend to respond to constructive criticism better than a simple failing or unsatisfactory grade. By using constructive criticism and highlighting the positives, teachers reinforce student’s strengths and weaknesses. Students can, in turn, take this information and focus on the areas that need improving.

Also, students who are accustomed to some level of failure perform better than those who consistently received A’s. By understanding failure these kids developed the ability to cope with the feeling of failure.

Report cards that offer letter grades as well as comments by the teacher tend to be more effective.

By using this method, teachers cater to the a child’s desire to make a good grade and the parents need to see the black and white of a letter grade, as well as the luxury of looking deeper into the child’s progress in specific areas.