In recent years, there's been a push to move away from traditional grading systems at many colleges and universities. A recent collection of essays edited by Susan D. Blum tackles this very subject. The essays were written by teachers who have very strong opinions about the importance of de-emphasizing grades.

There's long been a belief that grades don't accurately reflect a student's knowledge or abilities, and that way of thinking has gained many followers in recent years. Instead, grades are often seen to incentivize students to focus on things like getting a high GPA instead of actually learning the material.

Why Do Some Colleges Want to Move Towards Ungrading?

There are several reasons why colleges might want to move away from using grades. First of all, grades can be very subjective. What one professor might deem as an "A" quality paper could be seen as a "C" quality paper by another professor. This lack of objectivity can be frustrating for students who feel like they're working hard but not getting the grades they deserve.

In addition, grades often incentivize students to focus on the wrong things. For example, a student might spend all their time trying to get a high GPA instead of actually learning the material. This can lead to a shallow understanding of the subject matter and can make it difficult to apply what they've learned in the real world.

Finally, grades can be demoralizing for students who don't do well in school. A bad grade can make a student feel like they're not smart or capable, which can lead to them giving up on their education altogether.

The pressure to get good grades often pushes otherwise good students of good moral character to cheat. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously at colleges and universities, and violations often lead to strict penalties that include

The Cons of Ungrading

While there are some compelling reasons to move away from using grades, there are also some potential drawbacks. First of all, without grades, it may be difficult to compare students' performance against each other. This could make it difficult for employers or graduate schools to identify which students are the best candidates for positions or programs.

In addition, without grades, it may be more difficult for professors to identify which students are struggling and may need extra help. This could lead to more students falling behind in their coursework and ultimately dropping out of college altogether.

Finally, without grades, it may be more difficult for students to motivate themselves to do well in school. Grades provide a tangible goal for students to strive towards and can act as positive reinforcement when they do well. Without grades, it may be more difficult for students to stay focused and motivated throughout their college careers.

Get Help If You Have Academic Progression Issue Due to Grades

If you're facing academic progression issues from your school due to grades, you need to take it seriously. Administrative action by your school due to progression issues could mar your academic record, putting you at risk for sanctions from remediation to suspension to dismissal, and ruining your future plans

Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm have years of experience helping students who are dealing with the very same issues and know what to do to give you the best chance of success.

Contact attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686. Your future depends on it.