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Exploring Grading Schemes: Choosing the Right Fit for Your Classroom

As educators, one of our most challenging tasks is choosing a grading scheme that accurately reflects student performance, encourages growth, and aligns with our course objectives. With so many options, it can be hard to decide which system will provide the most value for students. To help navigate these choices, here’s a look at some popular grading schemes and how they fit into various teaching contexts.

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Percentage-Based Grading

One of the most familiar grading schemes, percentage-based grading, is often used in traditional classrooms. In this system, students earn a certain percentage based on the number of points they score out of the total possible points. Letter grades are assigned based on cutoffs (e.g., 90-100% is an A), offering straightforward and transparent metrics for students. This scheme works well for courses where multiple types of assessments can be easily quantified.

Weighted Categories Grading

Weighted categories allow instructors to assign specific weights to different course components, such as assignments, exams, and participation. For example, exams might count for 40% of the final grade, assignments 30%, and participation 10%. This scheme provides flexibility to emphasize important skills or knowledge areas, giving students a clearer sense of where to focus their efforts.

Points-Based Grading

In a points-based grading system, each task is assigned a specific point value, and students earn points toward a total score. For example, a course might have 1,000 possible points, with a final grade based on the number of points accumulated. This system simplifies grading by making it easy to see where students stand at any time and allows for flexibility in assigning value to different assignments.

Letter Grading

Letter grades, such as A, B, C, and so forth, are familiar to most students and can be used across various grading schemes. These grades are typically tied to specific ranges, like 90-100% for an A, providing a quick, broad-strokes evaluation of student performance. However, it’s often helpful to use letter grading alongside other methods, like rubrics, to provide more clarity on how each letter grade reflects specific achievement levels.

Competency-Based Grading

Competency-based grading focuses on whether students demonstrate mastery of specific skills or knowledge. Students progress by meeting clearly defined competencies or benchmarks rather than accumulating scores. This approach works well in skill-focused courses, like professional and technical training, where mastery of competencies is crucial for success.

Curved Grading

Curved grading adjusts scores based on the distribution of class performance. This approach often involves setting the highest score as an A, with other grades distributed accordingly. While controversial, curved grading can help account for variations in exam difficulty or assess performance in a competitive context, such as in large lecture-based courses.

Standards-Based Grading

Standards-based grading assesses students on specific standards or learning objectives rather than an overall score. Students receive scores that indicate their level of proficiency in each standard, such as “Exceeds Expectations,” “Meets Expectations,” or “Needs Improvement.” This method offers targeted feedback on areas for improvement and emphasizes mastery over grades.

Contract Grading

In contract grading, students and instructors agree on the requirements for achieving specific grades at the start of the course. Contracts might outline the number, type, and quality of assignments needed for an A, B, etc. This scheme allows students to take control of their learning goals and encourages them to work toward clear benchmarks without the pressure of constant grading.

Labor-Based Grading

Labor-based grading assesses students based on the time and effort (or “labor”) they invest in coursework rather than traditional quality metrics. This scheme can promote equity by valuing hard work and dedication over skill alone. It’s ideal for courses focused on process-driven tasks, like writing or creative work, where effort is often as important as the final outcome.

Specifications (Spec) Grading

Specifications grading sets criteria or “specs” for each assignment that students must meet to earn credit. Assignments are graded as “complete” or “incomplete” based on whether they meet these specs. This approach is particularly effective in courses that require consistent performance to pass and can give students clear standards to work toward.

Rubric-Based Grading

Rubric-based grading uses a detailed rubric to break down assignment criteria and define levels of achievement for each one. Students see exactly what they need to do to achieve each level, promoting transparency and consistency. Rubrics work especially well for complex projects or subjective assignments, such as essays or presentations.

Holistic Grading

In holistic grading, instructors assess assignments as a whole rather than by specific criteria. Instead of evaluating discrete parts, the instructor judges the overall quality or impact of the work. This approach is often used in creative or project-based courses, where the end product is evaluated based on its effectiveness or completeness rather than individual components.

Portfolio-Based Grading

Portfolio-based grading involves assessing a collection of student work accumulated over the course. Portfolios allow students to showcase their growth, provide an authentic representation of their learning, and give instructors insight into their progress. This method is widely used in art, design, and other courses where students benefit from demonstrating development over time.

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Choosing the Right Scheme for Your Course

The grading scheme you choose should align with your course goals, assessment types, and the learning outcomes you prioritize. Here are a few tips to help you select the best option:

• Consider Your Course Focus: For courses focused on skill mastery, competency-based or standards-based grading can emphasize specific skills or knowledge.
• Promote Equity: Schemes like labor-based and contract grading focus on effort and improvement, which can foster a more inclusive learning environment.
• Encourage Mastery: Specifications and rubric-based grading offer students a roadmap to meet clear standards, supporting mastery of key concepts.
• Support Creativity: Holistic or portfolio-based grading can allow students to take creative risks and express themselves, which is ideal for project-based learning.

Grading schemes are powerful tools to communicate expectations, support growth, and provide meaningful feedback. By choosing the one that best suits your course, you can create a learning environment that motivates, inspires, and engages students in their educational journey.

Further reading:

Angelo, T. A., & Cross, K. P. (1993). Classroom assessment techniques: A handbook for college teachers (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Brookhart, S. M. (2003). Assessment and grading in classrooms. ASCD.

Feldman, J. (2019). Grading for equity: What it is, why it matters, and how it can transform schools and classrooms. Corwin.

Guskey, T. R., & Bailey, J. M. (2001). Developing grading and reporting systems for student learning. Corwin.

Huba, M. E., & Freed, J. E. (2000). Learner-centered assessment on college campuses: Shifting the focus from teaching to learning. Allyn & Bacon.

Inoue, A. B. (2019). Labor-based grading contracts: Building equity and inclusion in the compassionate writing classroom. WAC Clearinghouse.

Murphy, S., & Underwood, T. (2000). Portfolio assessment: A handbook for educators. Heinle & Heinle.

Nilson, L. B. (2015). Specifications grading: Restoring rigor, motivating students, and saving faculty time. Stylus Publishing.

Walvoord, B. E., & Anderson, V. J. (2010). Effective grading: A tool for learning and assessment in college (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.