This week, we are chatting all about the 100-point scale, why it is biased towards failure, and what we can do instead to make our grading a bit more biased-resistant.
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**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/122**
- Grading for Equity by Joe Feldman
- 100-pt scale is biased towards failure
- Zeroes disproportionately punishes students
- Too many transitions points between grades (judgement between grades is much harder)
- More inconsistencies of grading between teachers with 100-pt scale
- Try using a scale with fewer points (0-4, 0-3, 0-5 for example)
- Avoid marking everything - focus on summative tasks
- Most recent, most consistent
Minimal Scales:
- Decide how many transition points that you want
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 point scales are all possibilities
- Single point rubrics - criteria listed for level 3
- Mastery scales (yes, no) - criteria listed for level 4 (3 attempts allowed because expectations are high)
- Specifications Grading - E107
- This is NOT watering the curriculum or grading down!
- Multiple attempts or replacing grades as skills progress
Other suggestions:
- Setting a minimum grade (40 or 50%) - essentially equalizes the grade bands to make grading more equitable
- Using a 4 pt scale (or something similar), you will eventually need a grade conversion chart
- Specific grades - 95, 85, 75, 65, etc. - pick specific values for each level
- Think about your zeroes - is it compliance or comprehension?
- Keep students accountable instead of using a zero
Determining Final Grades:
- Eventually you will likely need to convert back to a 100-pt scale
- Automatic conversions in gradebook software
- Conferencing with students (along with reflections)
- Most recent, most consistent - look for trends
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