Transforming Classroom Grading

by Robert J. Marzano

Discusses alternatives to grading and different types of student assessment.

Genres: Education, Teaching

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kimberly McCollum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with the philosophy behind this grading system. At the same time, I find Marzano's estimates of the additional time to implement almost laughable. A class with 30 students will require 10 extra minutes for each assessment given. A teacher with 6 classes of nearly 40 students will have over an hour of extra grading time for each assessment given. This is not a trivial amount of time.

[Atika Nur Setyani]

good

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical approach to moving to a system of assessment and evaluation without grades. I've always said that I'd love to eliminate grades from teaching, but this is the first time I've seen how it could be realistically done. Two concerns that Marzano didn't completely resolve for me: 1) convincing the community of teachers, parents, students, etc. to try it, and 2) making it manageable for teachers. He acknowledges both challenges, but I don't think he admits to just how significant they are. Nevertheless, he provides everything necessary to make the transformation happen.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty complicated in terms of how to think about what grades mean, but something I plan to tackle this fall: moving to more mastery grading (rather than going through the motions grading: either you learn the material required or you don't do well). His system isn't harsh, but I think it makes grades more meaningful and the correlation between understanding, achievement, and grades is much higher this way.

[Christin Edge · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had higher expectations for this book than what it produced. I did think it was helpful at highlighting the fact that academic and non academic factors should be kept separate from the grade book of the sole purpose of grading is to reflect academic progress. Other than this, the book presented far-fetched ideas of transforming the grading system by discontinuing actual grades. I definitely do not see this happening in American education!

[Jilane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this concept. This fits right in with the new common core. It truly would make my job easier in determining what skills the kids are struggling with. But as Marzano stated several times, the public won't let this happen. It has got to take an entire school, not just one teacher. I can't do this by myself. But I am definitely going to suggest this to my principal.

[C C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful. Analyzes the shortcomings of traditional grades--they don't provide meaningful feedback to students, parents, or even the teacher who constructed them--while providing a through step-by-step guide on how to build a replacement system, one that is standards-based, rubric-based.

[Annelies Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very important points made about the short comings of the American grading system and a possible solution. As Marzano said, this change would take district wide cooperation with very slow steps. I would like to see how this works out in a real-life practical situation.

[Jennifer Mitchell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading for a required book-study at work...pretty dry. Must say I'm not inspired yet!

[Deborah Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great thoughts, way ahead of his time. Too revolutionary at this time, but if enough of us fight, the next generation may see this type of grading system.

[jacky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was worried this would be very technical and dry, but it was quite readable. I liked the targeted focus that kept it short. In my opinion, a must read for staff.