I typically assign numerical grades (using a point system) which are then associated with a letter grade as indicated in the following table.
| range | A | B | C | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| + | 87-89 | 77-79 | 67-69 | ||
| >=94 | 84-86 | 74-76 | 64-66 | ||
| - | 90-93 | 80-83 | 70-73 | =<63 |
The following sections describe assessment criteria for both written and overall performance.
The following are criteria specific to written work. To see how this is typically related to feedback on an assignment, see Understanding Assessment Feedback. To see an examples of a good v. better writing, you can also see What Makes a Good Response?
A = Excellent. Writing demonstrates impressive understanding of readings, discussions, themes and ideas. Written work is fluid, clear, analytical, well-organized and grammatically polished. Reasoning and logic are well-grounded and examples precise.
B = Good. Work demonstrates a thorough and solid understanding of readings, discussions, themes and ideas. Written work is clear and competent, but is somewhat general, a bit vague, or otherwise lacking in precision. While analytical, writing presents more description than analysis. Arguments are solid but not thoroughly original or polished.
C = Fair. Work demonstrates a somewhat fragmented understanding of readings, discussions, themes and ideas. Shows acquaintance with readings and ideas, but not intellectual engagement. Written work is choppy and argument somewhat difficult to follow, examples are vague or irrelevant, and ideas are imprecise. Work veers toward underdeveloped ideas, off-topic sources or examples, personal anecdotes, creative writing, memoir, etc.
D = Unsatisfactory. Work demonstrates little understanding or even acquaintance with readings, discussions, themes and ideas. Written work is choppy, fractured and unclear. Argument follows little logical development, or work presents little discernable argument whatsoever.
F = Failure / Unacceptable. Work does not demonstrate understanding of topics, ideas and readings. This is also the grade for work not submitted and plagiarized work.
Attendance: "A" students have virtually perfect attendance. Their commitment to the class resembles that of the teacher.
Preparation: "A" students are prepared for class. They always read assignments fully. Their attention to detail is such that they occasionally catch the teacher in a mistake. They always participate in class.
Curiosity: "A" students show interest in the class and in the subject. They look up or dig out what they don't understand. They often ask interesting questions or make thoughtful comments.
Retention: "A" students have retentive minds. They are able to connect past learning with the present. They bring a background with them to class.
Attitude: "A" students have a winning attitude. They have both the determination and the self-discipline necessary for success. They show initiative. They do things they have not been told to do.
Talent: "A" students have something special. It may be exceptional intelligence and insight. It may be unusual creativity, organizational skills, commitment-or a combination thereof. These gifts are evident to the teacher and usually to the other students as well.
Results: "A" students make high grades on work in courses-usually the highest in the class. Their work is a pleasure to grade.
Attendance: "B" students miss class infrequently. Academics sometimes compete with other priorities.
Preparation: "B" students are usually prepared for class. They try to participate in class discussion.
Curiosity: "B" students have some interest in the subject and ask questions when they do not understand.
Retention: "B" students will frequently make connections among different ideas in the course and occasionally with other ideas from outside.
Attitude: "B" students desire to master the course material. They are active participants. They occasionally show initiative and seek out additional topics related to the course.
Talent: "B" students have talent and the ability to master novel material. Some students under-utilize abundant skills. Others are still learning academic skills, which can later make them "A" students. Some "B" students are excellent in other fields of knowledge and skill, but must work harder in this subject.
Results: "B" students usually improve over the duration of the course with increasing grades on course work as they master the material and become more efficient in their work.
Attendance: "C" students miss class too frequently. Too often they put other priorities ahead of academic work.
Curiosity: "C" students ask few questions and show little interest in course readings and class discussion.
Preparation: "C" students prepare their assignments consistently but in perfunctory manner. Their work may be sloppy or careless. At times, it is incomplete or late.
Attitude: "C" students are not visibly committed to the class. They participate without enthusiasm. Their body language often expresses boredom.
Talent: "C" students vary enormously in talent. Some have exceptional ability but show undeniable signs of poor self-management or bad attitudes. Others are diligent but simply average in the academic skills they've developed so far.
Results: "C" students obtain mediocre or inconsistent results on tests. They have some concept of what is going on but clearly have not mastered the material.
Attendance: "D" students miss classes frequently, sometimes a majority of the time. When they miss class, they often fail to find out what was covered in class or even what work was assigned.
Curiosity: "D" students rarely ask questions and often hope not to be noticed during class discussion.
Preparation: "D" students prepare their work in a slipshod fashion. Sometimes they miss assignments and fail to follow directions on others. Work is submitted late.
Attitude: "D" students are uncommitted to the class. They may be in the course only because it is required or because the other alternatives are worse. They are frequently bored by the class and show it. They have poor study habits and try to minimize their study time in the course.
Talent: "D" students may have many abilities but do not utilize them. They also usually lack self-discipline and diligence in class work. They try to minimize the effort made for any assignment.
Results: "D" students demonstrate little understanding of course material on papers, class work, and exams. They fail to complete many assignments and rarely participate in class discussions unless forced to do so.