Chapter 7

This chapter was about how differentiated instruction impacts grading. Grades are interpreted differently for each class. What is a "B" in one class may not be in another. This chapter purposed a new grading system where anything under a "C" was considered "you're not finished yet" rather than a failing grade. There are many suggestions on how differentiated instruction can influence the grade that a students receives. It also discusses the the traditional grade is not necessarily a true representation of the ability of the student. The average may not show whether a students has truly mastered an area of your subject matter. This chapter suggested many ways of correcting and improving the failing grade a students has received without harming the way the assignment is graded.

The grading system we have now does have flaws but people have become so used to it that changing it may cause serious problems. Parents understand how their child is doing when the report card comes home and they see the traditional A, B, C, D, or F. This has become something that people are so used to that changing it would simply confuse them. And the suggestion of giving the average students C's instead of A's would be even more of a shock. If a parent knows that his or her child met the requirements for the assignment they expect them to come home with an A. If we were to change this to a C because it is average work there would be continuous calls from parents wanting an explanation as to why their child did not receive an A. But grades can be a very stressful thing for students. When the parents expect a certain grade and the students does not reach it for whatever reason it becomes a more stressed environment for both the student and the teacher. Also students learn exactly what they need to do to get a certain grade withina certain classroom. This causes students to do what they have to and not really learn the material. This brings another point into play, how does one grade show how a students does on everything? This is highly difficult within the real world and so why do we do it in school? These are questions that do not necessarily have one right answer. An alternative to changing the grade system is a more open grading system. Allowing the students and their parents access to the grades and assignments would help lower the pressure for some students. It would help parents understand how the grades are being calculated and figured while also maintaining the system we already have in place.