The formula for improving U.S. schools can be found in the philosophy that helped transform Japanese industry and in Deming's 14 principles, emulated by many corporations. Deming's arguments against appraising individual performance through quotas or numerical goals call into question schools' current grading and merit pay practices. (12…

Studies writing teachers' rhetorical comments on student papers, including its historical background and as a recent phenomenon. Reviews the findings of an extensive study conducted on a sample of 3,000 student papers concerning instructors' rhetorical commentary. Outlines basic patterns and types of teacher comments. (HB)

The guide, designed for students enrolling directly in a French university in study to be credited toward a U.S. degree, provides general information about the French educational system, types of higher education institution, and university life. Practical information on course selection, registration, examinations, and grading is also included.…

Preferences for modes of student assessment were studied for 876 Nigerian high school teachers. A majority do not favor evaluation based solely on either the final examination or continuous assessment. The most popular method was allotting 60% of the grade to the final examination and 40% to continuous assessment. (SLD)

Discusses "grade inflation," and the pressure on instructors to "play grade roll politics to save their own professional hides." Argues that the grade deflation movement works at cross purposes with its goal of elevating academic standards, and that it is at odds with composition theory and its process pedagogy. Suggests…

Proposes guidelines for principals attempting to evaluate teachers' grading policies. Principals should understand teachers' perspectives, ask for copies of their grading policies, be wary of traits (like "effort") not measuring achievement, consider grading information quality, think about homework's role, expect teachers to use numbers and…

Argues that grades have negative effects on learning and self-concept. States that while grading has a long tradition of sorting children for college entrance, there is limited evidence that grades serve a valid purpose. Argues that this practice should be abolished and an evaluation system established that provides a more valid estimate of…

College students completed evaluation-of-teaching surveys in five different courses to develop an evaluation instrument that would provide results concerning faculty performance. Two questions examined students' expectations regarding grades. Results indicated a significant degree of expected grade inflation. Large proportions of students doing…

Investigates whether goodness of fit between teachers' and students' backgrounds is associated with subjective grading and objective achievement at school. One hundred one seventh graders and twenty of their teachers completed the Self-Report Family Inventory. Similarity between teachers' and students' work-culture variables was associated with…

Compared student self and tutor, student self and peer, and student and tutor grading using student constructed or tutor provided grading criteria at a British university for a total of 85 first-year biology students. Findings suggest that allowing students to construct their own grading criteria may lead to different learning outcomes compared to…

Describes teaching methods that promote reflexivity, a practice of observing and locating one's self as a knower within certain cultural and sociohistorical contexts, in order to open up the classroom for all students. Provides seven strategies that each incorporate reflexivity within a course, such as modeling and inviting speakers. (CMK)

Discussion of the grading of modified assignments for students with disabilities in inclusive settings focuses on the background of grading practices, the purpose of grades, current grading practices, development of effective grading procedures, and policies and practices. Emphasis is on providing feedback on actual accomplishments and needs. (DB)

Effective grading practices grow from a teaching/learning philosophy that respects student differences and reflects individual growth. To help individual students succeed, teachers must grasp the curricular landscape, figure out what students know and care about, and design powerful learning experiences to guide them through the next learning…

Teacher teams at a new secondary school were observed during their first year working together. Based on observations, interviews, and document analysis, this article describes a crisis in teacher relations (a controversy about grading) and examines the role and effectiveness of collaboration in handling the crisis. (SM)

This article focuses on a personal classroom experience that led to the development of a discussion examination as a strategy for making assessment match classroom practice in a class for secondary verbally gifted students. An example of the grid and point system used to assess the process is provided. (Contains 15 references.) (Author/CR)