Extra credit a disingenuous practice. Ask more questions about grading at Nov. 22 parent-teacher interviews
Author John Brunner found two kinds of fools. One says, ‘This is old, and therefore good.’ The traditional grading system involves teachers collecting assignments, tests, and projects, calculating averages, and converting percentages into letter grades. This old method fails to provide a comprehensive picture of a student’s understanding and skills.
The other fool says, ‘This is new, and therefore better.’ Standards-Based Grading (SBG) is a modern approach to student assessment that emphasizes mastery of specific learning standards rather than relying on traditional letter grades. Unlike the old system, SBG offers a more detailed and accurate picture of a student’s understanding and skills.
Grading based on standards focuses on ongoing feedback through formative or practice assessments, allowing students to refine skills before demonstrating their knowledge in a final summative assignment. This method uses descriptive terms like “exceeds,” “meets,” “approaching standards,” or “not yet” to provide a clearer understanding of a student’s progress.
NEW GRADING APPROACH
Educator Ken O’Connor is a strong advocate for this grading approach and has proposed changes to traditional practices for grades to accurately measure a student’s work. He recommends separating behaviour from academic performance in grading decisions and avoiding penalties for late work or poor attendance. Concerns regarding behaviour and attendance ought to be reported separately. O’Connor also argues eliminating extra credit or bonus points and addressing academic dishonesty without lowering grades.
He emphasizes the importance of grading individual contributions in group projects separately and replacing zeros with terms like “incomplete” or “insufficient evidence.”
Involving students in the grading process is another crucial aspect of this modern approach. Standards-Based Grading encourages student growth and better prepares them for future challenges. Look up educator Rick Wormeli’s YouTube channel for his insight on this topic.
At your next Home and School meeting or upcoming parent-teacher interviews on Nov. 22, ask questions on how teachers grade students and if they are including disingenuous practices like extra-credit or penalties for late work.
BREAKFAST PROGRAMS
Another topic to discuss are our schools’ breakfast programs.
At the Home and School semi-annual meeting Oct. 21 four presentations outlined proper food safety, breakfast menus, funding, and Spring Park’s successful program. Visit the P.E.I. Home and School website to download those presentations. And do not forget that at least one person ought to have a food safety course. Environmental Health P.E.I. offers free courses this month; simply search online for “volunteer food safety presentations PEI.”
What else could you include in your Home and School meeting’s agenda? Ask the principal for a report on your school’s health based on the recent COMPASS survey; ask about the grade five pilot for an integrated inquiry-based curriculum; invite a Public Schools Branch staff person to talk about the recent PSB school study review; take the school calendar survey; brainstorm on how to find more volunteers; and don’t forget to sign up for the Nov. 4 or 5 volunteer training workshops.
Together we build better schools.
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David Schult, president of the PEI Home and School Federation, lives in Charlottetown with his wife and two children, who attend UPEI and Colonel Gray Senior High School.