The Role of Grading in Education

The process of grading – based on assessments – formative or summative; and the pattern of representing them in either alphabetic or numeric scale of various permutations and combinations has been at the forefront of many nations as a ‘benchmark’ of mapping success in education or learning.

The Importance of Grades

For many, the difference of a minuscule decimal has proven to be the ‘last straw that broke the camel’s back’ and they have caused themselves physical harm, even ended their young lives in sheer agony and frustration. The answer ought to be a clear ‘NO’, but it does not come resoundingly loud when it comes to ‘walking the talk’. Grades do matter, though they may not define who you are.

Understanding Learners and Parents Today

What needs to be understood by both learners and parents today is that despite some apparent flaws in certain mechanisms of assessment and grading, they remain the rock-bed of standardizing talent and have largely stood as a measure of learning. However, what counts more, not just in the immediate term but definitely in the long run, are attributes such as an inherent passion for learning, empathy, compassion, and service to the community.

As the first set of millennials comes into their prime, their focus has shifted away from material needs towards self-enhancement and even ‘self-actualization.’ This is the first time ever that society views education as an end in itself, rather than merely a means to an end. What also needs to be processed is that as a learner, you ought to focus not only on what you aspire to but also on what your true potential is. Once this is understood, you can work backwards to plan how to achieve your optimal best.

In this process, it is essential to prepare students for exams so that they can navigate through the assessment and grading systems effectively. So long as one can do that, while remaining disciplined and focused on the steps required to get there, the journey will be worth pursuing. Breaking a sweat is not counter-productive, is it?