Describes system developed at Bennett College for recording grades on a spreadsheet that allows multi-user access for updating student test scores. The interaction between spreadsheets, user-developed statistics programs, and word processing documents is discussed, and a process for using spreadsheet data in a BASIC statistics program is…

A teacher's letter to a student explains what his B grade for the course does and does not represent in terms of the student's achievement or success as a human being or in future accomplishments. (MSE)

Presents results of a survey of course withdrawal policies at two-year colleges in Iowa, focusing on deadlines, grades given for dropped courses, drop initiation procedures, and recent policy changes. Finds that most schools permit students to drop classes late in the term with a nonpunitive grade. Discusses practical implications. (DMM)

Today, because of the problem-solving skills necessary for successful 21st century living, students must be taught higher-order thinking skills. Principles intended to stimulate discussion about the appropriate means for teaching higher-order thinking are examined. (RM)

Examines the responses of 10 veteran teachers to an essay written by an ESL student and concludes that most teachers continue to mark only surface errors, even in ESL essays. (DF)

Two studies examining the effect of grade inflation on the piling up of grades in fewer grade categories and on the reliability of grade point averages found that reliability suffered significantly only in graduate study in which almost all grades were in two categories, A and B. Some other small effects were found in different rating scales. (MSE)

Advocates both summative and formative student evaluation incorporating instructor, peer, and self-evaluation. Presents two examples of the rating format for illustration, and suggests that the key to the feedback depends on the consistency among the sources. Results should contribute to final grades. (JAC)

Essentially a system that rewards students for quantity as well as quality of work, variable credit grading proves in practice to have many side benefits, for example, improving communication with parents, solving problems for counselors, and allowing students more elbow room. (Editor/HD)

The extent and nature of student involvement in the teaching-learning process are a continuing problem. This study shows that the computer can be used to integrate student input into the grade that affects students most, which may help reduce tension in the university. (LBH)

It is hypothesized that the average level of undergraduate grades has been increasing due to a change in grading practices rather than other fundamental factors. Printed sources were searched for the various reasons that have been cited and possible solutions are offered. (LBH)

This paper aims to refute the idea that the best means of helping students learn to write is by "correcting" every error in their writing. The paper provides a guide to an alternative that works and that can relieve teachers of the burden of paper-grading. It hopes that the strategies outlined may make teaching composition "fun and exciting." The…

It is commonly believed that highly subjective humans ultimately perform all testing and grading efforts and that all testing and grading is completely subjective. However, Quentin Durham argues that there is no such thing as objective testing or grading. With wit and clarity, "The Realities of Classroom Testing and Grading" suggests that all…

Research indicates that the quality of classroom assignments makes a difference in student learning. Moreover, assignment quality varies between teachers even within the same school and there is room for improvement in many of the assignments that teachers provide to students. Assignment quality, as described in this book, puts into practice…

School administrators in a small suburban school district in Southeastern Pennsylvania were concerned about grade inflation at the elementary and secondary levels. Specifically, they wanted to know if students in grades 5, 8, and 11 who scored at the basic or below basic performance level on the 2003-2004 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment…

This paper analyzes the significance of a court's action on educational improvement. During its 2001-02 term, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments in and decided the "Owasso Independent School District Number 1-011 v. Falvo" case. This case involved whether it is an acceptable practice for teachers to allow students to grade…