Student Assessment Considerations

Assessment, Grades, and Homework

by  Harvey Craft

Student assessment methods need consistency across the nation. The typical method of assessment is a matter of grading student work and averaging the grades, but assessment involves much more than numbers. 

Assessment Quick and Dirty

Teachers are invited to read the points below, read the articles and links in this channel and offer opinions. Perhaps your contributions will help others improve grading and assessment. The points below are intended for kick-starting your assessment process-- how and why you assess.

Students Assessment Issues

What is the basis for your method of grading? (I.e., did you invent it, adapt it from another source, base it on reading and/or research?)

• Do you adjust grades for student behavior like being late to class?
• Do you have a test/quiz make up policy?
• Do you give extra credit to allow students to improve a period grade?
• How often do you give homework?
• Do you include homework as part of a period grade? If so, how much does it count?
• Do you grade all student work?
• Do you know the difference between formative and summative assessments?
• How many grades per student do you record in a typical grading period?
• Do you ever give true/false items?
• Do you give zeros?
• Do you give a variety of items on major tests like multiple choice, essay, short answer, or other tasks?

Perhaps I omitted something that you would like to include or encourage others to discuss. Leave us a comment?