MĂLINESCU ALEXANDRA

CLASA A 12-A G

Perspectives on grading students

There are good points and bad points in this proposal. The majority of students will probably choose
to deploy it, because they think that this way they will obtain better grades.

The good points of this proposal are many. Continuous assessment and project work are an
alternative to tests that allow students to engage with their learning in more concrete ways. Rather
than simply studying theory, a project asks students to apply what they've learned to an in-depth
exploration of a topic. Projects also enhance a student’s learning experience because students have
to apply the knowledge they have and demonstrate it in a manner that proves they comprehend the
concepts that were taught. The downside of projects is that they do not present a wide amount of
information as tests require. Furthermore, teachers may favour exams over projects when it comes
to assessing knowledge, because they are private and show what an individual student knows. Tests
are more suited for reflecting students knowledge, but the weak point is that they can be stressful.
Some students are poor test takers, and despite their knowledge of the subject, they may perform
poorly and their grade suffers the consequences. Conversely, exams require us to manage our time
and to plan well. They provide us with a challenge. If we learn to cope with them, we are likely to
emerge stronger, more able to cope with other challenges in our lives. With enough, practice and
revision, most people can get through exams.

No issue can be seen in black and white and like any other proposal, this one has its advantages and
weak points.