Chapter 8

Abstract:
Chapter 8 was about grading and how to report achievement in the classroom. It focuses on six different principles of grading such as what should and should not be considered, why it is not good to grade based on class averages and why achievement and other factors need to be separated when grading. It proposes a three part grading system including grading for achievement of goals, one for progress towards goals and one for work habits. The chapter also gives a brief overview of the backwards design plan and topics mentioned in previous topics.

Reflection:
Audra felt that this chapter posed a lot of interesting concepts and new ideas. She really connected with the principle of grading that suggests evaluating student achievement later in the learning cycle, once the students have become comfortable with the information that is being presented. She would really like to see that idea applied in actual classrooms to see if it promoted more motivation and success among students. Chelsae thought that chapter 8 was very similar to the reading she had done in Fair Isn't Always Equal. She thought that the idea of a three part grading system brought up a very interesting question - which grade out of the three determines whether or not the student passes the class? Chelsae also did not like how the chapter bashed competitive grading, citing that many students would do poorly in school if that competitive part of school was removed.

*Posted by Audra