This report presents the results of a study that was undertaken to identify student attitudes toward the Pass-Fail (P-F) option at the University of Washington. A questionnaire designed to assess student opinions toward and possible behavioral changes resulting from P-F courses was sent to a random sample of sophomores, juniors and seniors…

In the Spring of 1968, a joint study group called an Ad Hoc Committee on Grades and Evaluation was created to examine current methods of student evaluation. Several members of the group believed that letter grading on the undergraduate and graduate levels was counterproductive, because grades do not accurately reflect either student performance or…

The Office of Institutional Research conducted an evaluation of the Pass-No Pass (P-N) grading system at the University of Wisconsin-Stephens Point. The second semester, 1971-72, was chosen for the basis of evaluation. Sources of information include student records, a brief questionnaire sent to students who chose at least one P-N course, and a…

Experience with the pass/fail system at the University of Alberta and a review of the literature has shown that (1) pass/fail does not seem to motivate the student to learn; (2) students do not use it as a vehicle to explore outside their major; and (3) students do fewer of the assigned readings and attend fewer classes in courses elected under…

Briefly reviews research on student attitudes toward pass-fail grading and describes a study of 471 undergraduates to determine the factors which affect a student's choice between the traditional A-F grading system and the pass-fail alternative in a non-major college science course. (PR)

This paper focuses on the impact of grade inflation on higher education. (MM)

This study explored teachers' views on several decisive issues regarding grading and reporting student learning. Data were gathered through a survey administered to 556 K-12 teachers from a medium-size, Midwest school district with a student population that closely approximates national student demographics. MANOVA analyses revealed few…

Teachers at all levels of education today struggle in their efforts to assign fair, accurate, and meaningful grades to students with disabilities, especially those placed in general education classrooms. Lacking specific policies or recommendations, most teachers apply informal, individual grading adaptations for such students. Although these…

Current approaches and trends in writing pedagogy within the composition classroom focus on the development of students' identities through personal, cultural, or disciplinary processes. By employing writing assignments and activities that concentrate on developing certain traits or characteristics of students' identities has led to a "crisis"…

In Spring 2008, senior members of the international admission and credential evaluation community met to deliberate over the admission and placement of Bologna Compliant degree holders into U.S. graduate programs. This group comprised several individuals holding top leadership positions in NAFSA, AACRAO, and closely allied groups involved in…

This study examined the status of critical thinking (CT) and reasoning skills in information communication and technology (ICT) for 190 college students in a higher education system. It analyzed how the students performed in CT, reasoning, and internet copyright and ethical issues. A CT assessment was designed to analyze the CT and reasoning…

Examinations--among other things--are tools of quality control by which we can measure the attainment of the national educational goals. High-quality examinations are means of evaluation that can help teachers modify their teaching techniques, as well as helping learners adjust their learning strategies. Examinations are also benchmarks that can…

In this paper, two teacher educators work to understand their attempts to transform teacher-student relations by altering traditional grading practices. Using actor-network theory, the authors examine the social effects produced across and throughout a school of education when they changed the meaning and significance of grades. Detailed analysis…

This book addresses, in novel form, the question of whether or not the traditional system of grading in American schools is the most educationally useful system of evaluation. Within the dramatic framework of a controversy over grading at Mapleton High School, the authors examine various issues related to the traditional grading system, including…