Merging a variety of grade sources to compose one final grade is something I feel extremely uncomfortable with. I understand the need, on behalf of the school, to have one final mark, but I feel there is more value of having grades broken down and reflected in a variety of ways.
I appreciate the quote, "in mathematics, we teach that you can not average apples, oranges, and bananas, but we do it in our grade books." When I read it, it makes me think of the variety of students I will have in the classroom. Each student is an individual, and will excel in different areas, reflecting their unique learning styles and interests. To me, it only makes sense to then reflect these unique attributes in a variety of ways, to outlining the various ways students will demonstrate their learning. Because of this, it doesn't make sense to me to then mash each of these different products of learning into one final grade, as it will never accurately depict each student's strengths.
Over the course of my education, I have experienced a variety of methods to report grades. My favorite was a system which used comments and four levels of achievement ( in words) to report learning. This method allowed for individualization of each student's report card, discussing the different aspects of their work. This allowed for a variety of grade sources to be utilized, instead of just one final grade number or letter to be the sole determinate for the success of the student to that point.
I hope to be able use this type of system in the future, as I can still look at each student as an individual, and not have to manipulate a variety of grade sources to compose one final grade that may not accurately reflect that student's work. I know it will be more intensive to compose comments for each student in a variety of areas, but I think the detailed breakdown is beneficial to the student, as they can see their achievement broken down, instead of lumped together.
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