Free Essay About Grading Systems

A grading system is primarily used for the measurement of student achievement. As learning objectives are established in clinical courses, student performance is assessed with the utilization of a grading system. In this way, students become aware of their standing considering the performance data. Moreover, a grading system helps students to develop the required competencies. Similarly, teachers acquire awareness regarding the effectiveness of teaching methods (Guskey & Bailey, 2001).
As far as letter grading is concerned, it is mostly used in traditional educational institutions whereby students’ performance and competence is determined through the use of letters/alphabets. This system is usually considered to have the tendency of motivating students through a straightforward feedback. It is also acknowledged that the substitute grading systems are not as effective as letter grading in providing assessment. However, this grading system is reported to categorize students into bigoted groups thereby resulting in competition. In addition, the hierarchal emphasis of this system demonstrates profound effects by discouraging students’ learning patterns (Wallace, 2000). In nursing programs, pass-fail grading is used frequently (Gaberson, 2007). According to research, this system neither enhances nor reduces student performance. In fact, this system creates a collaborative culture whereby satisfying students. In addition, this type of grading also helps in the reduction of student anxiety. On the other hand, it has several disadvantages including the creation of a lazy environment and non-representation of knowledge accuracy in students. It is clear that even though pass-fail grading does not provide enough information about the students’ ability, it certainly “reduces the competitive pressure of letter grading and encourages students to explore new subject areas” (Baumgartner & Jackson, 2015). In short, grading systems must be helpful for both students and teachers for the evaluation of their respective performance.

References

Baumgartner, T., & Jackson, A. (2015). Measurement for Evaluation in Kinesiology (9th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Gaberson, K. (2007). Clinical teaching strategies in nursing (2nd ed.). New York: Springer Pub.
Guskey, T., & Bailey, J. (2001). Developing grading and reporting systems for student learning. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press.
Wallace, R. (2000). Reforming college composition: Writing the wrongs. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.