Chapter 15: Grading and Reporting Student Performance

Grading involves a process of comparison. Which of the following are grades typically compared?

• Other schools

• The national average

• Prior achievements

• The teacher's personal opinion

Answer explanation

Grades are typically compared to prior achievements, other students, or standards

True or False: Teacher-parent conferences are formal meetings

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Teacher-parent conferences are INFORMAL, professional meetings during which teachers discuss progress with parents and determine action steps to be taken.

Which of the following is NOT a step in determining report card grades?

• Combine weighted scores to determine a single grade

• Select what to include in the final grade

• Combine unweighted scores to include in the final grade

• Select weights for each individual assessment

Answer explanation

The three steps in determining report card grades are:

1. Select wat to include in the final grade

2. Select weights for each individual assessment

3. Combine weighted scores to determine a single grade

True or False: Teachers need to provide a sufficient level of detail for marking to be informative for students.

• True

• False

Which of the following is a PRO of including effort in grading

• Teachers operationalize effort differently

• Rewards lower achieving students for something

• Lack of consistency in how effort is weighted

• Hard to define and measure

True or False: Grades should be changed when warranted to reflect the most fair and accurate record of student performance.

• True

• False

Which of the following factors, other than achievement, might be included in a grading plan?

• Teacher's opinion

• Family Background

• Student Attendance

• Favorite Color

Answer explanation

A student's effort, attendance, and improvement are all factors that could be included in a grading plan.

Which of the following is a common grading approach?

• Essays

• Portfolios

• Rubrics

• Matching

Answer explanation

Common grading approaches include Letter Grades, Percentage Correct, Rubrics/Checklists, Standards-Based, and Written Descriptions.

True or False: You should use zeros indiscriminately when averaging scores

• True

• False

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of effective grading?

• Base grades primarily on student performance

• Lower grades for cheating, misbehaving, tardiness or absence

• Grade according to pre-established learning targets and standards

• Convert scores to the same scale before combining