Reliable Grading

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, unlike more empirical subjects such as math, judging the quality of writing is highly subjective and determined largely by context. After analyzing several scholarly articles that have addressed this issue across the last fifty years, the paper concludes that early efforts to make the grading of composition more precise have given way to trends that try to separate the teacher from the act of grading. However, the paper then relates that, recently, critics seem to have given up on finding ways to eliminate bias because overall reliability in grading is not necessarily obtainable. Instead, teachers should seek consistency. The paper includes an annotated bibliography.

From the Paper:

"As early as 1960, Luella Cook suggests a radical departure from traditional ideas of grading. In her article, "The Search For Standards," Cook argues that required courses, such as the freshman composition class, are a space where students seek to grow and develop in language power. Our standards should therefore be termed "goals". These goals, argues Cook, should be relative to the skill levels of each student, and should "indicate individual improvement". Thus, a grading system, which rates students with letter grades is "not useful"."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Arnold, Lois V. "Writer's Cramp and Eyestrain--Are They Paying Off?" The English Journal 53 (Jan. 1964): 10-15.
• Bernard-Donals, Michael. "Peter Elbow and the Cynical Subject." The Theory and Practice of GradingWriting. Ed. Frances Zak and Christopher C. Weaver. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1998. 54-65.
• Cook, Luella B. "The Search for Standards." The English Journal 49 (May 1960): 321-335.
• Danowski, Charles E. "Each Pupil His Own Editor." The Elementary School Journal 66 (Feb. 1966): 249-253.
• Diedrich, Paul B. "The Measurement of Skill in Writing." The School Review 54 (Dec. 1946): 584-92.

More papers on Reliable Grading:

• Analytical Essay # 130437 : "Intelligence Tests in Education and Reliability"
• Essay # 88634 : "The Scholastic Aptitude Test"
• Research Paper # 100230 : "Psychological Testing"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: