Re: Grade Distribution

[KathieR101@aol.com]

Great question.  How does your school consider grades?  Are they a true 
measure of student progress?  Inflated?  Has your principal expressed concern about 
grade inflation or excessive homework? Are either one of those issues a 
reflection of parental concern?

I'd start by looking how many grades you have taken over the grading period.  
What is the ratio of major (test) grades to quizzes to daily grades? Is 
homework a daily grade?  Is all homework graded?  Do students know which homework 
"counts"?  Do you take a participation grade as a daily grade?  Is that a one 
time grade or do you use anecdotal records to assess a weekly participation 
grade?  What other kinds of assessment do you use to generate grades?  How are 
you weighting each kind of grade that you take?  Are grades discussed and 
decided on departmentally?  Does each department weight grades the same way?  Why or 
why not? Some red flags for parents and administrators might be too few (or 
too many) tests and quizzes, over reliance on homework grades, or  too little 
variety in assessment practices.

I hope this helps you get started!  Good luck!

Kathie Ramsey

In a message dated 1/22/2007 3:26:46 AM Central Standard Time, 
ellena@fast.net writes:
Our principal has given each teacher a copy of their grade distribution for 
the first marking period and asked the teachers to analyze them.  No other 
directions were given.  

I am at a loss!  Is this usual practice?  What would/should I learn?  What is 
the principal trying to learn?

I'm relying on the collective experience of this group!

Ellen Andresen