My generation grew up receiving letter grades and we all turned okay. Today, my children receive their grades through a rubric until they are in the sixth grade. This article will look at the two types of grading systems and will discuss common arguments for and against each.
Most parents my age (boy, don't I sound like my mother!) have difficulty understanding the switch to grading only using rubrics. We grew up receiving letter grades from first grade on through graduation. I think the one thing I hear from most parents who are arguing against rubrics is that the letter grades are easier to understand, they are more cut and dry. When I reference letter grades, this also includes systems that use strictly percentages, which translate to letter grades. Some other benefits of letter grades are:
- Most see letter grades as a more subjective way of grading. They are calculated using a mathematical equation, therefore they are more cut and dry.
- Letter grades are easier for parents to understand and monitor. They can look at a quiz that may have a score of 8/10 and they know that is an 80%.
- Teachers can better justify a grade through their grade book. It goes back to the basic mathematical equation; you can weigh assignments differently, but still use the same system.
Those that are against letter grades usually point to the stigma that comes with this type of system. You have your "A+" kids and those that do not earn passing grades. We are more protective of children and their self esteem now more than ever. Anything that may harm this is seen as a negative.
When I was first teaching 10 years ago, I had never even heard of a rubric. I was first exposed to them when I was writing for textbook companies about 5 years ago. Schools today use them to varying degrees. Some for specific subjects or projects, while others also use them on grade cards in place of letter grades. Some of the benefits of using rubrics are:
- Rubrics give a specific breakdown of the skills assessed on a given test or assignment.
- The pressure often associated with letter grades is not as much of an issue.
- You can see a progression through a particular skill set when you compare two rubrics.
Opponents of rubrics tend to feel they are more subjective than a letter grade. Also, as parents who grew up with letter grades, the rubrics can be difficult to understand. Our school spends a great deal of time acclimating parents and students who are new to the district in an attempt to educate them on the use of the rubrics.