Grading and Reporting

The main aim of grading and reporting system is to provide result in brief, understandable form for
varied users.

Functions of grading and reporting systems

 Enhancing students’ learning

 Report to parents and guardians
 Administrative and guidance uses

TYPES OF GRADING AND REPORTING SYSTEMS

⦿ Traditional letter-grade system

⦿ Pass-fail

⦿ Checklists of objectives

⦿ Letters to parents/guardians

⦿ Portfolios

⦿ Parent-teacher conferences

Norm-Referenced or Criterion-Referenced Grading

Example of Norm Referenced Grading:

15% of the students will receive a mark of excellence, which in class of 100 enrolled students will be
15 persons:

A (Excellent) = Top 15 % of the class

B (Good) = Next 15 % of the class

C (Average) = Next 45 % of the class

D (Poor, pass) = Next 15 % of the class

F (Failure) = Bottom 10 % of class

Example of Criterion Referenced Grading:

In class of 100 students, no one might get a grade of excellent if no one scores 98 above or 85 above
depending on the criterion used.

A (Excellent) = 98-100 or 85-100

B (Good) = 88-97 or 80-84

C (Fair) = 75-87 or 70-79

D (Poor/Pass) = 65-74 or 60-69

F (Failure) = below65 or below60

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Norm-Referenced Grading

• Students are evaluated in relationship to one another.

• Grades may reflect relative performance score compared to other students

• Grade depends on what group you are in.

• Typical grade may be shifted up or down, depending on group’s ability.

Advantages of Norm Referenced Grading:

 They are easy for instructors to use

 They work well in situations requiring rigid differentiation among students

 They are generally appropriate in large courses

 They stress individual achievement

Disadvantages of Norm Referenced Grading:

 An individual's grade is determined not only by his/her achievements, but also by the
achievements of others.

 It promotes competition rather than cooperation.

 Students are less likely to be helpful to each other

Criterion Referenced Grading

 Grades may also reflect absolute performance score compared to specified performance
standards (what you can do).

 Grades does not depend on what group you are in, but only on your own performance
standards.

 Grading is a complex task, because grades must clearly define and justify the performance
standards and it must be based on criterion referenced assessment.

Advantages of Criterion Referenced System

 Students are not competing with each other

 Students are thus more likely to actively help each other learn.

 A student's grade is not influenced by the caliber of the class.

Disadvantages of Criterion Referenced System:

 It is difficult to set reasonable criteria for the students without a fair amount of teaching
experience.

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Comparing Norm and Criterion Referenced System