Steve Greenlaw published a brief meditation on grading today. This is a topic I’ve wrestled with ever since taking my courses on assessment design and psychometrics as a graduate student. Allow me to suggest, tongue in cheek, that perhaps our course syllabi are in need of a Truth in Grading Disclosure. It could come right after the section about grading, like this:
Grading
Your course grade will be determined as follows:
- 10% Attendance
- 10% Participation in Class Discussion
- 20% In-Class Presentation
- 30% Team Project
- 30% Mid-term and Final Exam
Truth in Grading Disclosure
By means of this Truth in Grading Disclosure, I openly and honestly acknowledge that it is impossible to pass this course by mastering the course content.
- 10% of your grade will be awarded based on your ability to show up at a certain place at a certain time.
- 10% of your grade will be awarded based on your ability to get a word in edgewise amongst your very talkative peers.
- 20% of your grade will be awarded based on your visual design skills in Powerpoint and your public speaking ability.
- 30% of your grade will be awarded based on your ability to manage the time, efforts, and quality of contributions made by classmates over whom you have literally no control.
- 30% of your grade will be awarded based on your understanding of economics, as determined using two multiple choice exams administered by the University Testing Center.