33 - An Interview with Dr. Thomas Guskey: A Journey through the History of Grading Reform Efforts
The Grading Podcast
Developing a Purpose Statement for Grading in Education. Tactics flow from objective
Developing a clear purpose statement for grading is essential to ensure that grading practices align with educational objectives. This statement should articulate the intention behind grades, such as reflecting students' learning and mastery of course goals at the semester's end. By prioritizing the end outcome over earlier performance, such as disregarding midterm scores if final results improve, educators can shift focus toward student achievement. This approach rejects traditional averaging methods that may not accurately represent current competency. A purpose statement serves as a rationale for these changes, helping to communicate why grades are assigned, their intended audience, and the message they convey. Lastly, it is recommended to differentiate between various aspects of student performance, reporting non-achievement factors separately, although this can be challenging in university settings.
