Importance of effort-based grading
Grading is a critical aspect of education that is used to evaluate a student's understanding of the subject matter and their level of mastery. Over the years, various grading systems have been used, with the most common being the traditional A-F scale. However, there has been a shift towards efforts-based grading, where students are evaluated based on their efforts, instead of just their final test scores. The following are the key benefits of effort-based grading:
Encourages Learning and Improvement
The primary objective of education is to help students learn and improve, and efforts-based grading can help to achieve this goal. When students are evaluated based on their efforts, they are motivated to work harder, as they know that their grades will reflect their hard work. This approach helps students to focus on their learning and development, instead of just their final grades. Moreover, effort-based grading provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter, even if they did not do well on the final test.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Grades are a source of stress and anxiety for many students, especially when they are evaluated based on their test scores. When students are aware that their grades will be based on their efforts, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed and stressed. This is because they know that they will be able to demonstrate their learning and understanding, even if they did not do well on the final test. Furthermore, efforts-based grading provides students with a more balanced assessment of their abilities and encourages them to focus on their strengths, instead of their weaknesses.
Encourages Active Learning
Efforts-based grading encourages students to be active learners, as they are evaluated based on their efforts to engage with the subject matter. When students are aware that their grades will reflect their efforts to learn, they are more likely to participate in class, ask questions, and engage in discussions. This type of grading also helps students to understand that learning is a process and that they need to work hard to achieve their goals.
Provides Feedback
Efforts-based grading provides students with valuable feedback, as they are evaluated based on their progress and understanding. This type of grading allows students to see how they are doing, what they need to work on, and what they need to do to improve. Furthermore, efforts-based grading provides teachers with the opportunity to provide students with specific and constructive feedback, which can help to support their learning and development.
openSIS provides school administrators an easy interface to set up effort grades and Homeroom teachers have an easier way to enter effort grades for their students.
