Started my latest graduate class today...Educational Assessment. I am excited to be in this class because testing/grading is an interest of mine. Not the actual giving of tests and then grading them, but making sure that my tests are testing what I want them to (that they're valid) and that my grading is appropriate for the steps or tasks involved. I'm sure someone out there can remember doing poorly on a math test because you made the same tiny mistake on 6 problems and the teacher graded it so that you failed, rather than recognizing your ability on the overall concepts and the fact that your abilities were being clouded by a simple error. At least that's my spin on it.
If you are still reading and not bored to tears with this teacher mumbo-jumbo, then I have another question, otherwise, jump ship now.
What is your take on giving zeros as grades? I have always been a person that believes that if you don't do an assignment you should get a zero. Period. (that's the Type-A in me) This past school year, I have been challenging myself to figure out what I truly feel because I have been presented with lots of professional development, articles, etc. defending the belief that zeros do not belong in grading. (They bring down an average terrible and make it very hard to pull up, they don't keep up with the 10 point scale usually used in grading, etc.) Zeros have usually been deemed a punishment, but this train of thought is that the punishment is having to complete the assignment (better late than never, I guess). But what about deadlines? I'm ok with not giving zeros and holding students accountable, but what if grades are due to guidance and Johnny still hasn't made up the work? Give him a 50?...still an F but not a grade that will decimate his average?
4 comments:
I teach in college, and a zero is a zero. I would think that in high school it would be the same. It isn't a punishment, it is a recognition of the effort put into the assignment. Not to mention, at a certain point the burden is off of you from following up, and up, and up. You can only do so much! At what point do you call their parents?
I am sure you will hear a lot about the state of education these days and we are coddling our children, etc, etc. These are all valid concerns, but so are the things you brought up. That is a tough one!
Not being a teacher - I have a question: If they don't do an assignment what grade would you give them otherwise?? There's nothing to grade. You can't give them a grade of 50% on something they never did. I think that's just encouraging the "entitlement" issue that's going on with the latest generations.
Just my thoughts - but with no teaching background ; )
I decided my last year at the middle school to have a no F policy--instead it was "not yet"...that lasted about a quarter. I would keep giving the work back to the kid until they did better. This idea came from a staff devpt. It didn't take into acct that some kids have no desire to do anything!! And I quit using it after a few weeks.
I do give zeros, but I also will let kids turn in work late--with penalties, up to a certain point. If it is a large enough (weighty) assignment than a 10 is better than a 0.
I do also use the magic pen. You know if a kid gets it, but hasn't been able to show it by a point or two on their final average--I have the power to make it a 70.
I tend to agree with the above - that if you don't turn something in at all, then it needs to be a zero. Plus, when you get into the "real world", then there are deadlines that need to be met that don't get pushed off. What are you teaching the kids then?
More power to the teachers! I couldn't do what you do.
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