There are many ways for making sure grades are meaningful and useful to students. Here are 10 strategies:
- Make grading fair and consistent. Grades should be based on the student’s performance, not on who the student is.
- Make grades meaningful. Grades should reflect the student’s performance in the course
- Use grading scales that are meaningful to students. For example, use a 100-point scale instead of a traditional 4-point scale.
- Give feedback on a timely basis. Feedback should be given after the student has completed the task, not before.
- Use rubrics to determine which students have achieved success in a course.
- Encourage students to take honors and AP courses. These courses are more challenging, therefore are more likely to provide students with meaningful and useful grades.
- Make use of portfolios to assess student progress.
- Have students sign a Grade-Point-Averages (GPA) contract. This contract should clearly state the expectations of both the student and the teacher.
- Make use of formative assessment to help teachers determine which students are struggling and need extra help.
- Celebrate the student’s successes. Acknowledge their achievements in class, on homework assignments, and in their portfolios.
