Some of our elementary teachers are already reporting behaviors separately:
Grade 2 example:
- I am organized and responsible for my belongings
- I can complete work neatly and carefully
- I can listen and follow directions
- I can use my time wisely
- I can work independently
- I can seek help when I need it
- I participate in class discussions
- I can work quietly without disrupting others
- I can show self-control
- I am respectful to others
The following two questions and the research articles below guided our discussions. What should go into a grade? What inhibits the accuracy of the grade?
Here are some excellent research articles that helped us with this topic:
Effective Grading Practices in the Middle School and High School Environments - Hanover Research
How Grading Reform Changed Our School - Jeffrey Erickson
A Century of Grading Research - Thomas Guskey
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Here is what we came up with regarding separating behavior from the grade:
Reporting academics and behaviors separately
Grades are accurate when they include only the current or most recent performance on a skill or a standard or on multiple skills and standards.
Grades are inaccurate when they include the following:
- Effort
- Work habits
- Attention
- Participation (unless participation is a part of the skill/standard being assessed)
- Behavior infractions (e.g. removal from class; plagiarism; cheating; defiance)
- Bonus points
- Attendance
- Averaging
- Other methods that include points/marks that are not directly tied to the performance on a skill or a standard or on multiple skills and standards.
The above mentioned behaviors are important academic enablers and should be assessed and reported separately from the academic grade.
More to come.
