Elements of Grading

A Guide to Effective Practice

Learn several strategies for reforming grading practices, while examining the common arguments against reform. With this practical guide, you can improve grading to meet four essential criteria—accuracy, fairness, specificity, timeliness—and also make the grading process quicker and more efficient. The book does not offer an ultimate answer or perfect system but shows how to begin a constructive, evidence-based conversation about improving grading systems. Dr. Reeves analyzes the main features of the grading systems many schools use today (such as the 100-point system and the policy of giving no points for missed work) and evaluates each of them by his four criteria. He challenges and inspires readers in this comprehensive reevaluation of what grades are, why we use them, and whom they benefit. Examples, case studies, and opportunities for reflection facilitate individual and schoolwide examination of grading practices.