Abstract

Using Grading contracts in the Classroom to Improve Teaching and Learning

There is a lot of stress the teachers at my school face with mass grading (as a result of overcrowded classes) and also the students face stresses in worrying about obtaining a specific letter grade on assignments. Students compete with each other for specific grade averages and sometimes lose focus on learning and improve levels of achievement. In this project, I investigate a new method of grading student work in the classroom. The new method will be implemented, tried and tested to see if it is in fact an easier more effective way to grade student work. If implemented properly, this new method could take away the stress teachers face with mass grading and also take away the stress from students in worrying about obtaining a specific letter grade on assignments. It could possibly relieve the tension that is placed in the classroom by students competing with one another for specific grade averages and place the focus on learning and improving student comprehension and achievement. This system overall has the potential to create a whole new classroom environment and help teachers to bring learning alive during instruction.

Introduction

The purpose of this project is to investigate whether using grading contracts in the classroom will prove to be a more effective grading system and provide opportunities for students to focus more on learning and improving comprehension of the content versus focusing on obtaining a specific letter grade on assignments. I will investigate a new method of grading student work in the classroom. The new method will be tried and tested to see if it is in fact an easier more effective way to grade student work. If implemented properly, this new method could take away the stress teachers face with mass grading and also take away the stress from students in worrying about obtaining a specific letter grade on assignments. It could possibly relieve the tension that is placed in the classroom by students competing with one another for specific grade averages and place the focus on learning and improving student comprehension and achievement. This system overall has the potential to create a whole new classroom environment and help teachers to bring learning alive during instruction.

Significance of the Problem

I will investigate a new method of grading student work in the classroom. The new method will be tried and tested to see if it is in fact an easier more effective way to grade student work. If implemented properly, this new method could take away the stress teachers face with mass grading and also take away the stress from students in worrying about obtaining a specific letter grade on assignments. It could possibly relieve the tension that is placed in the classroom by students competing with one another for specific grade averages and place the focus on learning and improving student comprehension and achievement. This system overall has the potential to create a whole new classroom environment and help teachers to bring learning alive during instruction. I will use an evaluation tracking system. I plan to keep traditional records of grades as well as contract grades for the students just as insurance for me to refer to if a situation should arise and I need to convert back to the traditional grading system. I will also use the records of traditional grades in comparison to the contract grades to see how close they are to being the same percentage at the end of each unit. If this method proves to be an acceptable alternative to the traditional way of grading in the classroom, it will more than likely be easier to sell to other professionals/instructors and gain their buy-in. Hopefully, after implementing and tracking the results contract grading will prove to be and accurate method of grading student work.

Summary of Related Literature

Bunn Hiller, Tammy, and Amy B.