A Grade by Any Other Name (would smell as sweet?):

Using Grades to Support Collaboration, Communication and Self-Assessment

 

The Learning Record -- Charles Nelson -- Kean University - cnelson@kean.edu

 

Grading Theory

 

Principles of Assessment[1]

 

1.       Students must be assessed in favorable contexts

2.      Students must be assessed across a range of social and learning situations

3.      Assessment must attend to both process and product

4.      Assessment must acknowledge the integral role of language in learning

5.      Performance criteria must be shared among stake-holders

 

Principles of inquiry and research[2]

 

1.      Observations of phenomena we wish to understand, over time and under diverse conditions.

2.      Gathering diverse kinds of data from phenomena over time.

3.      Interpretations based on these observations and data samples.

4.      Public reporting for confirmation or challenge by peers investigating similar phenomena.

 

Grading Practice

 

The Learning Record is a portfolio system that integrates instruction, learning, and assessment. It encourages students to reflect on their learning and helps them learn to evaluate themselves, and it enables instructors to be clear, consistent, and flexible. The Learning Record consists of four interrelated sections:

 

Part A: Background                       Interview and Reflections (provides baseline)

Part B: Analysis                 Summary Interpretation

Part C: Evaluation              Estimated evaluation in terms of grade

Suggestions for student’s further development

Evidence:                           Observations and Work Samples

 

References

Barr, M. A., Craig, D. A., Fisette, D., & Syverson, M. A. (1999). Assessing literacy with the Learning Record: A handbook for teachers, Grades K-6. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Barr, M. A., & Syverson, M. A. (1999). Assessing literacy with the Learning Record: A

                handbook for teachers, Grades 6-12. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

The Learning Record. The Center for Language in Learning. Retrieved October 30, 2001 from The Center for Language in Learning Web site: http://www.learningrecord.org/.

Syverson, M. A., & Center for Language in Learning (1995). The Learning Record Online. Computer Research and Writing Laboratory, The University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved March 1, 2003, from the World Wide Web: http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~syverson/olr

 

Chart for Analysis

Course Strands

Rhetoric

Research

Collaboration

 

D

i

m

e

n

s

i

o

n

s

 

 

 

L

e

a

r

n

i

n

g

Confidence &

Independence

 

 

 

 

Knowledge &

Understanding

 

 

 

o

f

Strategies & Skills

 

 

 

 

Use of Prior &

Emerging Experience

 

 

 

 

Reflectiveness

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midterm Moderation Readings: Comment Form

 

Name of Writer:

 

Names of Readers:

 

 

1. Is the information in the portfolio sufficient to make an evaluation? That is, is there both enough information, and an appropriate selection of information?

 

 

2. Are there clear signs of development across the areas of independence, knowledge, strategies, experiences, and reflectiveness?

 

 

3. Based on the quality of the activities demonstrated in the portfolio (both the evidence from the work and the writer's self-evaluation essay), what letter grade would you attach to the portfolio?

 

 

Other comments:

 

 

A

Represents outstanding participation in all course activities; all assigned work completed, with very high quality in all work produced for the course. Evidence of significant development across the five dimensions of learning. The Learning Record at this level demonstrates activity that goes significantly beyond the required course work in one or more course strands.

B

Represents excellent participation in all course activities; all assigned work completed, with consistently high quality in course work. Evidence of marked development across the five dimensions of learning.

C

 Represents good participation in all course activities; all assigned work completed, with generally good quality overall in course work. Evidence of some development across the five dimensions of learning.

D

Represents uneven participation in course activities; some gaps in assigned work completed, with inconsistent quality in course work. Evidence of development across the five dimensions of learning is partial or unclear.

F

Represents minimal participation in course activities; serious gaps in assigned work completed, or very low quality in course work. Evidence of development is not available.

 



[1] Barr, quoted in Syverson & Center for Language in Learning, 1995.

[2] Syverson & Barr, quoted in Syverson & Center for Language in Learning, 1995.