What’s my grade?

Ken Lambert’s Classes

I am not really fond of grades—they have come to distort the true emphasis of education: learning and developing the ability to learn. In fact, grading is a part of teaching that I do not enjoy.  It seems that much too often many students don't really want to know why they received the grade they received.  They just want to know why they did not receive an “A.”

That being said, I do find that grades serve a social purpose: they are a mechanism for me to communicate with the rest of society what I believe you have learned and what your capabilities are.

Reflecting on my beliefs and past experiences, here are attributes that I have found in students to whom I have assigned particular grades.

Behaviors of Students Who Have Earned an A

1. Understands all material encountered in the normal course of the class.
2. Regularly synthesizes new ideas (new to the individual) and correctly evaluates their effectiveness.
3. Evaluates own work and typically knows which solutions are correct and which are incorrect.
4. Shows up for class every day.
5. Consistently works on homework from when it is assigned until it is completed.
6. Completes all work regardless of whether it is graded.
7. Asks questions of me after realizing their thinking may be in a rut.
8. Reads material in the text before discussion in class.
9. Works some material that was not assigned.
10. Shows initiative in extending material covered in class.
11. Capable of suggesting alternative solutions to problems.
12. Turns in homework that is stapled neatly without ragged edges, essentially demonstrating a level of pride in the accomplishment.

Behaviors of Students Who Have Earned a B

1. Understands most material encountered in the normal course of the class.
2. Occasionally synthesizes new ideas (new to the individual).
3. Rarely evaluates their effectiveness.
4. Begins homework early, but then lets it slide until one or two days before it is due.
5. Shows up for class most of the time (misses 2 days per month).
6. Completes all work that is assigned and will be graded.
7. Stops by my office for assistance.
8. Recognizes solutions to problems that are clearly correct.

Behaviors of Students Who Have Earned a C

1. Understands most material encountered in the normal course of the class.
2. Rarely synthesizes new ideas (new to the individual).
3. Does not evaluate the effectiveness of solutions.
4. Misses class three or more times per month.
5. Begins working on homework one or two days before it is due, and, thus, turns in partially completed homework.
6. Rarely asks me for help.
7. Cannot tell if a solution to a problem is correct.

 

 

A special thanks to Professor Marty Wolfe at Bemidji State University, who originally documented most of these observations.  Copyright © 2000-2003, Steven Case.  Last updated October 16, 2001. This document does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of DMACC.