GRADING Introduction

Grading is not simply a matter of bestowing isolated number or letter grades. It is a process that may involve some or all of these activities:

• Setting effective assignments
• Establishing standards and criteria
• Setting curves
• Making decisions about effort and improvement
• Deciding which comments would be the most useful in guiding each student's learning
• Designing assignments and exams that promote the course objectives
• Assessing student learning and teaching effectiveness

Effective grading requires an understanding of how grading may function as a tool for learning, an acceptance that some grades will be based on subjective criteria, and a willingness to listen to and communicate with students. It is important to help students to focus on the learning process rather than on "getting the grade," while at the same time acknowledging the importance that grades hold for students. And, since GSIs are students themselves, to balance the requirements of effective grading with other workload and professional commitments.

This section contains general tips on how to make your grading both more effective and more efficient.  You will also find specific suggestions here about designing assignments, setting standards and policies, using grading rubrics, and writing comments on student work.  You might also find relevant information in other sections of this online guide, for example, Working with Student Writing, Dealing with Academic Dishonesty, and Improving Your Teaching.