The Proven Benefits of Grading Less
86By shifting their focus from letter grades to meaningful feedback, teachers can unlock deeper learning, foster motivation, and minimize bias in the classroom.
When assignments are handed back to students, it’s natural for them to focus on the grade rather than the feedback. It’s even been shown that when students see their grade first, they’re more likely to ignore the accompanying notes and reflections from the teacher entirely. But a letter grade doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, research shows that there are many benefits to grading less frequently—leading to more impactful feedback and deeper learning in the long run.
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