Monday, April 7, 2014

Standards-Based Grading: How Much Should Homework Count?

Last week on the blog, we took a look at using formative and summative assessments.  One question that you may be asking is:  Where does homework fit into standards-based grading?

In addition to watching the Rick Wormeli video below, take a look at how Ken O'Connor (sometimes referred to as "the grade doctor") explains grading. 

O'Connor (2013) writes:
"From a very early age, students get the message that school is about grades and all that matters is that they get good grades."

He goes on to explain how to change the focus from grades to how grading can support learning:
"Students and parents who believe school is just about grades focus inevitably on the accumulation of points.  This orientation is revealed very clearly by the question that students and parents always ask teachers--What can I do to improve my grade?--when the question they should be asking is, What can I do to improve my learning?"

Learning is cumulative, so O'Connor suggests using the most recent evidence to determine grades.  He also recommends primarily taking grades from summative assessments.

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