An archived stack of papers: 'grading'
From Rubric To Percentage
In a stack of papers called Grading.
- Sep
- 21
- 2008
How can I take the scores from my assessment on a six-point rubric and turn them into a percentage? 3, 3, 4, 4: that doesn’t convert very well to a score out of one hundred. I have this problem every year, with varying and inconsistent solutions. This time, I’ve set Excel in place to keep my evaluations constant.
... read more
Moving Through Some Changes
In a stack of papers called Reform.
- Sep
- 12
- 2008
I hate doing the same thing every year. It’s boring and implies, “Yup, that was perfect; no need to change that one!” I’m still looking for those lesson plans. There are a few I have that are pretty close to “good,” but “perfect” is a long way off.
Some of these are small but... read more
Writing Assessment By Numbers?
In a stack of papers called Grading.
- Sep
- 01
- 2008
Having just finished grading a small writing sample from my English 1 Support students (those students who we’ve identified through test scores and grades as in need of a little extra for them to make it through English 1), I figured I’d share how I did this first one and welcome any evaluation of my method.
I struggled with how to grade this. Since this class counts as an elective... read more
After Day Two Of Finals
In a stack of papers called Grading.
- Jan
- 17
- 2008
Two functions of grades came up in a discussion today. One is to accurately reflect a student’s ability. A second is to help students understand their ability. Initially, I said in no uncertain terms that the first trumps the second, all day, every day. It’s much more important that the grade be an accurate reflection of skill than a student be able to understand how he got that grade.... read more
After Day One Of Finals
In a stack of papers called Grading.
- Jan
- 16
- 2008
Grades are on my mind and weighing heavily.
My school uses School loop and I’ve been using their gradebook faithfully all semester long. I just realized that things aren’t organized in a way that lets me see patterns. Assignments are arranged by date and not by category. There’s no convenient report showing the percentage of students earning each grade. Even the breakdown of... read more
The Shrinking Educational Middle Class
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- May
- 07
- 2007
After a conversation with a colleague today, I breathed a sigh of relief as I realized that I’m not the only one. I wonder if you’re like me too, reader.
Several tangents later, our conversation veered onto the subject of grades. This colleague visits different schools as a mentor.... read more
Why You Should Change Grades
In a stack of papers called Grading.
- Feb
- 01
- 2007
A student who earns a D or an F first semester can change that grade by earning a C the second semester.
Why?
Regularly, poor performance in my class equates to not doing the work assigned. A student earning an F usually can change that with a little effort. Attempting to do the writing, reading, speaking, or thinking I’m asking gives me ideas of what a student needs in order to do... read more
Don’t Call Home
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Dec
- 14
- 2006
It is December 14th. We start Winter Holiday tomorrow at 1:15. When we get back from break, there are only 2 weeks before semester finals. That means that, even though it’s a month away on the calendar, there are only 2 weeks left in this semester.
And this is the week that parents start to call or email teachers about their child who is failing or in danger of failing a course. Why are... read more
Drop Those Red Pens
In a stack of papers called Grading.
- Dec
- 11
- 2006
My hand sits poised over the last of 51 Oedipus the King essays to read for this year. “Since the end of October, jeez…” I mutter and shake my head, taking another swig of black coffee. Putting Sunday morning on hold to correct papers never proves easy. But these papers have gathered dust on my desk or in my bag for going on 2 months.
Painfully aware of the fact that... read more
Stats At Grading Period End
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Nov
- 30
- 2006
Total number of Ds and Fs earned: 35 (31% of my students)
Total number of Fs earned: 14 (12% of my students) With at least one F in other classes: 10 With at least one D in other classes, but no other Fs: 1 With Cs or higher in other classes: 3
Total number of Ds earned: 21 (18% of my students) With at least one F in other classes: 9 With at least one D in... read more