Rather than challenging grades alone, educators should question the whole assessment enterprise. The three rationales for grading (sorting, motivation, and feedback) are problematic, since they stress a demand (obligation), as opposed to a support, model. Ideas for adopting supportive assessment and avoiding grading abuses are provided. (19…

Describes development of a rubric for assessing class discussion. Discusses procedures, student roles, and assessment in a "scored discussion." Notes that students find the process to be both demanding and informing. (RS)

Suggests that in evaluating student papers audiotapes have several advantages over written comments: audiotapes make for a holistic instead of myopic evaluating approach, and make it easier to make positive comments. Explains system for transferring responsibility for grammatical errors from the teacher to the student. (TB)

Describes the contents, requirements, and pedagogy of a course in information resources management at the College of Business at Eastern Michigan University. Highlights include types of required assignments; how assignments are graded; assessment techniques; class structure; and student attitudes regarding the course. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the problems music teachers have with assessment because they teach a wide variety of students. Addresses the reasons why music teachers should assess their students. Includes ten tips for teachers on how to assess students in the music classroom. Provides information on using an electronic grade book. (CMK)

Shares the history of a court case in which students are required to announce grades aloud. Suggests that a professional responsibility of teachers is to build trust between those who hold power and those who do not. Contends that peer grading can serve other roles, such as an opportunity where students can feel comfortable learning from their…

This article includes a definition of grading rubrics, a rationale for their use, the benefits of rubrics, and ways to introduce rubrics to students with learning disabilities using the RUBRIC strategy. Rubric resources for teachers are listed, and common problems and suggestions for using grading rubrics are discussed. (Contains 9 references.)…

Use of student self-evaluation in grading is recommended, and several ways in which self-evaluation may be incorporated into the grading process are described, including grades justified and moderated by faculty and/or peers, criteria generated by peers, weighting, combining self-evaluation with demonstration of competence, and learning and grade…

Outlines a team-grading program for freshman composition in which instructors collaborate to evaluate student writing holistically. Argues that while students may be the major beneficiaries of team grading, the writing program benefits by addressing problems of grade inflation and grade inconsistency, building departmental morale, and contributing…

Offers sufficient responses to 60 of the most frequently made errors in German grammar, plus 13 punctuation rules, and proposes that the instructor hand out this list to the students and henceforth "tag" language errors by the corresponding number, then have the student correct them and resubmit the assignment for a better grade. (GLR)

Mathematics portfolios need not be limited to problem-solving efforts. When California algebra teacher asked students what portfolio contents would show their effort and learning, they suggested daily notes, personal budget and lottery projects, scale drawing, their best and worst tests, weekly problems, daily class notes, and homework. Students…

The reform literature poses classic dilemmas for decision makers leading to inaction, ineffective compromises, and vacillation between opposing choices. Dilemmas exist in the public policy arena, the unregulated private economy, higher learning institutions, and societal traditions and values. This essay examines grading, ability grouping, and…

Examines the A through F system of letter grades used in most schools, suggesting reasons why this framework is inadequate. Proposes a new assessment model which has children demonstrate that they can accomplish a given task on their own. (MDM)

Describes the content, requirements, and pedagogy of a course in data communications and computer networks that was developed at Eastern Michigan University. Highlights include course organization; grading methods; term paper assignment; peer evaluation form for team projects; network application; and analysis and design of networks. (four…

National Assessment of Educational Progress writing sample essays from 1988 and 1990 (495 and 599 essays) were subjected to computerized grading and human ratings. Cross-validation suggests that computer scoring is superior to a two-judge panel, a finding encouraging for large programs of essay evaluation. (SLD)