Fair Isn't Always Equal Chapter 11: Six Burning Grading Issues

In Chapter 11, Wormeli discusses the idea of grading and the issues that grading brings forward. The idea of getting a zero on an assignment is something many students fear. I believe that instead of just failing a student for a missing assignment; it would behoove me to give them an incomplete and talk to them about finishing it. If they refuse to do the work then possibly a zero is in order; however, zeros tend to distort the grading system’s accuracy. This is why I believe I will use the method of incomplete rather than the idea of plugging in zeros. The idea of an addendum is a good method to use when dealing with gifted students because it allows the teacher, the student, and the student’s parents to see where the student is for grade level as well as seeing what they achieved beyond that point. The idea of adding and addendum to their report cards would be a great way to show progress through out the student’s school year. I did not agree with the idea of getting rid of rank and valedictorian. I believe that yes this could have negative effects on students. However, I believe a little competition is beneficial to students because it makes them strive to do their best. In the real world they will have to strive to be the best at work and will be facing the idea of going against others to reach the top. This concept is a part of life, so why should we get rid of it? One of our jobs as teachers is to prepare our students for outside of school and the idea of rank helps do this. I believe if we are trying hard to keep our students from getting their feelings hurt we are not preparing them. In life their will be negative aspects that will bring you down, but it is how you overcome that and rise to the challenge that proves your success, and this is the same for the school atmosphere.