Grading System

The New Scheme of Grading has been introduced with the aim that : It will minimize misclassification of students on the basis of marks. It will eliminate unhealthy competition among high achievers. It will reduce societal pressure and will provide the learner with more flexibility. It will lead to a focus on a better learning environment Operational It will facilitate joyful and stress free learning. My friends who have got 71 or 75 marks will be awarded the same grade. I feel this is unfair. In what ways are grades better than marks? Awarding of grades has number of advantages over awarding of numerical marks. It considerably reduces inter and intra examiner’s variability in marking. It also takes care of imperfection of tools used for assessment. Statistical research in assessment techniques indicates that there is a possibility of variation of scores awarded to individuals to the extent of to 15%. Putting students of similar potential in same ability bands (grades) automatically takes care of all these aberrations in assessment techniques. Lastly, it will reduce undesired and unsound comparison of small difference of marks.

The grading system for the CBSE Board has a few advantages, with the main one being making the structure easy to understand by anyone who may have an interest in the achievements of particular students: Rather than seeing a mark, they will have access to a grade which encompasses particular marks.

It has also been designed to take away some of the competiveness amongst studentsso that instead of being given a numerical mark, a particular band of marks will fall under the same grade. This also takes away any judgemental elements that could arise if a student gets marginally more or less marks than another student, though this has been criticised as being detrimental to the student who may have a few marks more than another, yet is allocated the same grade overall.

Using this system means that all schools, primary and secondary, who participate in this method of assessment will have conformity and fluidity within education, with a recognisable term of reference.

Those who are in favour of this method of assessment also argue that it will enable the focus to be placed on the actual learning environment, and make it better, thus facilitating better understanding for pupils. They also claim that any societal pressures will be reduced and so the learner will benefit and will enjoy greater flexibility within the classroom.

In certain circumstances, an individual student’s marks will be given as well as thegrade. These circumstances include moving abroad to continue education, but overall the decision to reveal marks is at the discretion of the school’s principal.

If students fail to reach a required grade, they will be given five attempts to do so, so that they have another chance of being promoted to the next class.

CCE helps in reducing stress of students by - Identifying learning progress of students at regular time intervals on small portions of content. Employing a variety of remedial measures of teaching based on learning needs and potential of different students. Desisting from using negative comments on the learner’s performance. Encouraging learning through employment of a variety of teaching aids and techniques. Involving learners actively in the learning process. Recognizing and encouraging specific abilities of students, who do not excel in academics but perform well in other co-curricular areas. CCE helps in improving student’s performance by identifying his/her learning difficulties at regular time intervals right from the beginning of the academic session and employing suitable remedial measures for enhancing their learning performance. Holistic education demands development of all aspects of individual’s personality including cognitive, affective and psycho motor domains. It is unfortunate that not much attention and emphasis is given to the development of interests,...