The College Fix:  Survey shows teachers despise ‘equitable’ grading policies

‘Equitable’ grading is a policy that was being implemented prior to the Covid lock-down.  It is designed to never fail a student, regardless of the student’s lack of aptitude or effort.  During and after the Covid lock-down, principals embraced the policy to hide their failure.

‘Equitable’ grading was encouraged by the federal Department of Education and implemented by school districts without anyone ever talking to teachers.

This survey looks at Equitable Grading Through the Eyes of Teachers.

Like most Progressive ideas, the concept has a misleading name because if it were explained to a normal person, it sounds crazy.  This survey looks at five practices of “equitable” grading.

  • No Zeros:  The minimum score is 50% on all tests and assignments.  That includes work that was never turned in.
  • No Late Penalties:  Students can turn in assignments or take tests late, without penalty.
  • Unlimited Retakes: Students can retake tests or quizzes to get a better score.
  • No Homework:  Homework cannot be included in the student’s grade.
  • No Participation:  A student’s class participation cannot effect the student’s grade.

This Fordham study surveyed almost a thousand teachers to get their opinion.  Here are the results:

  • No Zeros:  81% are against, 8% are in favor.
  • No Late Penalties:  56% are against, 23% are in favor.
  • Unlimited Retakes: 41% are in favor, 37% are against.
  • No Homework:  44% are against, 25% are in favor.
  • No Participation:  59% are against, 13% are in favor.

A teacher’s opinion will be based on the grade level and ability level of students.  Elementary teachers are more sympathetic to a ‘no homework’ policy.  Middle schools are less about academics and more about social and emotional development, so ‘no zeros’, ‘no late penalties’ and ‘unlimited retakes’ are common.  High school AP and Honors teachers are less likely to give points for homework or participation, while remedial teachers rely on homework and participation to bolster grades.

These are not obscure concepts only practiced in urban districts or blue states.  I taught for 17 years in a conservative district.

The middle school implemented unlimited retakes.  Students had to get some extra help, but they had the option.

We were told to reduce the weight that participation or homework had on grades.

My former colleagues in Parma are swamped at the end of each quarter, trying to assess the pile of late assignments.

These policies shouldn’t be left to Trump to eliminate.  Governor DeWine’s Department of Education could eliminate this if he actually cared about education.