1 of 12

EQUITABLE GRADING IN NEU 300 NEUROBIOLOGY

2 of 12

STRUCTURE

Textbook reading + knowledge questions

Problem sets

Synthesis questions

(Claim – Evidence – Reasoning)

Exams

(Claim – Evidence – Reasoning)

3 of 12

GRADING SCALE

Exam Questions

Strong

Satisfactory

Weak

Overall Exam Grades

1-4

Final Percentage

Grade

92 – 100%

4.0

84 – 91.9%

3.5

76 – 83.9%

3.0

68 – 75.9%

2.5

60 – 67.9%

2.0

52 – 59.9%

1.5

44 – 51.9%

1.0

0 – 43.9%

0.0

24% of scale equals success

60% of scale equals failing

Traditional Grading

1-100%

Concerns

101 levels of student performance

Orientation toward failure

4 of 12

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Exams

1-4

End of Semester Reflection

Strong

Satisfactory

Weak

All Other Assignments

Submitted

Not Submitted

Traditional Grading

Formative

Summative

Attendance

Extra Credit

Concerns

Penalizing during learning period

Bias in participation or effort grading

Grade not accurate

5 of 12

MISTAKES

On Assignment / Homework

Expected

No effect on final grade

On Exams

Many possible reasons

Continue learning

Reduces anxiety

Traditional Grading

Penalized

Concerns

Penalizing during learning period

Only one opportunity to show learning

High anxiety

6 of 12

DEADLINES

On Assignment / Homework

Suggested due dates

No effect on final grade

On Exams

Clear expectations

Grade work, not timing of work or student behavior

Traditional Grading

Penalized

Concerns

Grading behavior not academic performance

Grade not accurate

7 of 12

AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT

  • Exams
    • Collaboration
    • Revision
    • Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (Scientific Argument)
    • Graph reading / interpretation

8 of 12

STUDENT OPINION

9 of 12

STUDENT OPINION

10 of 12

STUDENT OPINION

11 of 12

STUDENT OPINION

12 of 12

LESSONS LEARNED?

  • More time grading (revisions)
  • Grading is different (scoring)
    • Less point-counting
    • More feedback
  • Need to work on how to present to students
  • Feel better about grades in general