Addresses teachers' frustration in reconciling appropriate education for young children with the practice of grading to assess and report progress, contending that research on unreliability in grading and the efforts of committed parents and professionals are necessary to change the practice. Summarizes research suggesting that grading is…

The Faculty Beliefs about Grades Inventory, a three-scale instrument, was developed to measure faculty beliefs about norm- and criterion-referenced grading and attitudes toward the sorting and selection functions of grades. Results with 243 college faculty members show high negative correlation between attitudes about norm-referenced and…

Describes a tool called the Electronic Issue Forum which was designed to give college students experience in writing both persuasive and balanced papers in a way that supports distance learning. The role-playing nature of the forum is explained, and grading criteria and other student needs are considered. (Author/LRW)

A study of whether true grade inflation existed at a college, the scope of the problem if it existed, and what corrective steps, if any, ought to be taken was limited to the years 1979-1986. Data suggest that true grade inflation probably exists or cannot be ruled out. (MLW)

Explains a scheme for grading student performance which stresses skills, technique, decision making, and notebook entries. Describes grading system and potential pitfalls. (RT)

Looks at the process of designing and assessing coursework for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) course in Business Studies. Provides a flow chart illustrating stages in coursework design and includes examples. Offers suggestions for grading assignments according to the GCSE Business Studies syllabus. (LS)

Determines the effects of strict and lenient grading practices on the test performance of students with low, moderate and high SAT scores. Concludes that variations in grading scales affects how much students learn. Suggests that the effects of teacher and course evaluations by students be mediated by considering students' performance. (KO)

Discusses ways that whole-language teachers can address the concerns raised by administrators, teachers, and parents about the use of portfolios in language arts classes. Suggests that teachers can use student self-evaluation and other methods to assign grades in portfolio-based classes, and master various techniques to reduce the time needed to…

Effects of reviewing items and altering responses on examinee ability estimates, test precision, test information, decision confidence, and pass/fail status were studied for 376 examinees taking 2 certification tests. Test precision is only slightly affected by review, and average information loss can be recovered by addition of one item. (SLD)

Two methods to facilitate classroom management and initiate student responsibilities are presented. The first describes student responsibilities for making up missed tests or assignments. The second describes a student scorecard to help students keep track of their grades and act as a motivational technique. (MDH)

Presents two ideas to help beginning mathematics teachers. The first presents a way to record and grade homework. The second suggests a manipulative to help students understand the trigonometric concept of reference angle. (MDH)

Proposes offering college students an optional performance contract that requires full class participation and resubmission of incorrect test items to alleviate mathematics anxiety. A comparison of students opting or not opting for the contract indicated that contracted students outperformed their counterparts in the latter stages of the course.…

Describes alternative form of evaluation that enables the teacher to assign a grade to students problem-solving skills as they participate in a discussion to solve a problem. Discusses room arrangement, the role of the audience, grading, and secondary benefits of the method. (MDH)

Presents research results regarding the use of graduate teaching assistants (TAs) in undergraduate courses. Reports that the use of TAs had no significant effect on grading. Reveals that students felt they learned no less in courses taught by TAs. Suggests that students preferred TAs, the courses they taught, and their attitudes about students.…

Describes 10 methods of assessment that teachers can use alone or in combination: (1) multiple marking, (2) peer evaluation, (3) mastery learning, (4) contracted learning, (5) credit-no credit grading, (6) self-evaluation, (7) anecdotal records, (8) pupil profiles, (9) checklists, and (10) dossiers. (FL)