Grading Policy
My school has a set grading policy that I as an instructor have no input. We are a corporate school and they tell us what % each assignment, quiz, exam, and project is worth. I feel this is ridiculous because they are not in the classroom and they are not experts in my field. Why do they feel final projects are worth more than Exams!! The students have a national board exam to take when they finish this program. It is a test not a project. I think that corporate is taking away discretion of the instructor at this institution to try to make it harder for the students to argue with grading policies, but I think it is doing more harm than good, because now a student can fail every exam but still pass the course because of all the other assignments, quizzes, and projects that they are required to do. This policy will not help them pass their national board exam!
Candace,
Only you can answer how "hard or easy" you should be. A good barometer is student learning. If students are meeting the course objectives, passing tests that demonstrate understanding, those methods usually reveal how effective the grading system is.
Barry Westling
My school also has set per cent ages for each class. The instructors have flexibility with projects. I grade heavily on projects. My students do well with the projects and seem to love doing them. I have been criticized for being "too easy". Should more emphasis be put on traditional exams?
My school also has set per cent ages for each class. The instructors have flexibility with projects. I grade heavily on projects. My students do well with the projects and seem to love doing them. I have been criticized for being "too easy". Should more emphasis be put on traditional exams?
Carrie,
This sounds like a discussion that really needs to be discussed with your Deans or college administration.
Barry Westling
