A procedure derived from classical test theory analyzes course grades and report results to assess third-year clerkships at a midwestern medical school. The procedure is sensitive to a large range of characteristics of the courses and is a promising supplement to student course evaluations in studying curriculum change. (SLD)

Explains that peer evaluation in news writing courses is an effective way to increase the amount of information provided to student writers without adding to an instructor's grading load. Suggests several feedback structures, including source questionnaires, grading grids, and directed peer evaluation guides. (MM)

The A to F grading pattern is a highly subjective practice that demands great expertise and assumes a high degree of test validity. This article discusses the merits of extra credit assignments, homework, and "pop" quizzes; outlines defensible grading procedures; and discusses common grading problems, such as using grades as weapons. (MLH)

A method for statistically removing interrater grading inconsistency as a source of bias is presented and a study using this technique is described. Assumptions, techniques, and practical considerations are also discussed. (Author/MSE)

Working parties established by the Secondary Examinations Council are devising grade-related criteria for use with the new General Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (GCSE). The aim is to produce in each subject a set of performance criteria covering GCSE grades A-G. The work of the physics group is discussed. (JN)

Essays and essay tests need to be a central feature of every class. Informing students about what is inadequate in their essays and counseling them on how to improve seem to be impossible, time-consuming tasks. The use of codes or abbreviations is described. (MLW)

Discusses the use of special portapunch cards in the testing and grading of large student populations. The cards can be processed routinely at a batch station by laboratory staff having little knowledge of computers. The system not only allows cheap and reliable marking but also can accommodate a variety of tests. (JN)

Impression marking of English Language essay and summary questions by pairs of examiners is shown, as expected, to be more reliable than single marking. Given the limited statistical information available, it is concluded that pairing of examiners can as well be done by random or quasi-random means as by attempts at calculated matching. (Editor/RK)

Describes using a literature analysis paper for grading physics students. Each student examines a physics paper from the literature, checks its accuracy and the accuracy of its references by use of the library, and applies it to answer some assigned questions. (MLH)

Reports many results of a grading study in which members of the American Society for Engineering Education scored student responses taken from college engineering test papers. The overall result was a wide variation in grades assigned. (MLH)

This book aims to provide a coherent and thoughtful framework for viewing the complex issues related to grading and reporting student learning. The primary goal of grading and reporting is recognized as communication, and grading and reporting are seen to be integral parts of the instructional process. Chapter 1 explores why grading and reporting…

This Digest summarizes trends in grading practices and introduces issues related to standards-based reporting. A large majority of schools use a traditional grading system, and many teachers have a great deal of autonomy in making decisions about grades. Given the latitude that teachers have in developing grading policies and differences in…

Developing meaningful and equitable grading practices is a daily challenge for K-12 educators and administrators. Grading practice serves several functions, including informing parents about their child's progress, informing potential employers, aiding in educational and career planning, and guiding administrative decisions such as graduation,…

Students' perceptions of assessment activities are the focus of this research. An instrument, Perceptions of Assessment of Teachers by Students, was developed in a primary version (kindergarten through grade 3) with a pictorial scale and a senior version (grades 4 through 12) with a 5-point Likert scale. Fifteen teachers returned the student…

Potential factors affecting grading practices were studied at an urban college. Altogether, there were 31,916 grades/grading events recorded in fall 1997. Overall, excluding grades considered "nonjudgmental," close to 50% of the grades were "B" and above and only 8% were failing. By mean quality points per credit, there were no…