By Lylyan Yenson, Staff Writer
With weighted grading systems, teachers separate assignments, projects, tests, etc. into different categories that have different impacts on a student’s overall grade; tests and quizzes usually have the greatest weight while homework and classwork are smaller. This system is unfair to students who typically do better with creativity and projects rather than tests and memorization. Although not all students struggle with studying, a good amount don’t know how to study efficiently, making it harder for them to take test.
More students worry about tests because the weighted grading system gives tests a huge influence over their grade. Even if a student were to turn in all their assignments, participate in class and do their projects, they could still receive an undeserving grade if they failed their tests.
It’s easy to see, then, how those who excel at taking tests and neglect completing assignments and participating in class are unfairly put on a pedestal just because they can memorize and understand ideas with ease. These types of students don’t contribute to the class, don’t step out of their comfort zone and oftentimes don’t learn how to communicate well, but they are still rewarded with good grades.
So, how can we put every student on a level playing field? The solution is easy: a point-based grading system.
In a point-based grading system, there would be no discrimination on the value of tests, projects, homework, participation or other assignments. Rather, these assignments would be worth points, uniform in their value and have the same impact on a student’s overall grade. Now, an assignment’s “worth” would be based on a numerical amount of points, not on the kind of assignment it was. This way, assignments can only have a larger impact on an overall grade compared to other assignments is if it is worth more points.
In addition, students will be rewarded for putting in hard work and effort in the class and at home, which seems fairer than rewarding a student who never did homework, asked a question or contributed to the class, but aced every test. In an age where modern high schoolers are known to work themselves to the bone and skip out on sleep, food and relaxation for good grades, it only feels right to give credit where it’s due.
People who support weighted grades say that the students that are unable to test well need to study harder, but that is untrue. Even if students spent hours and hours studying, study can be completely different than a test. Some students are nervous and tend to blank out when faced with the real thing. Does that mean that they didn’t work hard enough for the grade?
Students aren’t perfect and amazing at everything, so the point system offers them a better chance at getting a grade that truly reflects their intelligence and hard work. A student’s grade shouldn’t be defined by a test grade where they memorize information and regurgitate it; it should show what they understand, what they can analyze and how they think critically. After all, isn’t that what being a Baron is about?
