August 25, 2012 From Degrading to De-grading

The essay seems to be very effective in the way it is laid out. He lists his reasons with explanations and quotations that display evidence for the points he is trying to make. The topic he has chosen is one that is interesting because it is a current issue. He connects with the reader on a personal level which also adds to the effect of the essay. He targets students that are dealing with grading systems and the impact it is having on them. I personally do not agree with everything he has written about. I do not think grades should be taken away completely. If they were taken away, what would students be working for? I understand that grades are not everything and the purpose of going through school is to get a job in the end. Grades are important when it comes down to finding out who is working harder than someone else. No, not everyone does well on testing. But, I am not saying take the tests scores and judge the student based on that, but take into consideration all of their school work. I do not believe test grades show the progress of the student or how much theyve learned, only how much they can remember right then and there. In school I continue to push myself in order to obtain a good grade. Getting this grade is encouraging. The school system I was a part of did not group the marks all together, but split the grade up into different categories. There was a mark for knowledge, understanding, communication and application. I was also graded on a 4-point scale. This 4-point scale is much different than the one the university uses. 4-A, 3-B, 2-C, 1-D, 0-F. Instead of allowing the failing grade to be worth the most (around 60%) the 4-point system gives the student a chance to make up any mistake they may have made. If you get one 0 on an assignment it isnt going to devastate your final grade. The author does an excellent job at directing the topic towards the students who are the future and may be the deciding factor if grades are kept or discarded. Why would be address the topic to people that are finished school and now working? By addressing students and people working in education there is a better chance of his argument being heard. Personally, I feel that there needs to be a common ground when it comes to grading. There is too much pressure put on students when it comes to tests, as well as teachers. If the whole class does poorly, it is reflected on the teacher. But, grades are still needed to determine the students commitment to their education.