Can a simple change in grading make students more productive?

With the new school year RAHS also has a grading policy.  Summative assessments now account for 90% of students’ final grades while formative work only accounts 10%. Last year RAHS grading percentage was based on the teacher, with some teachers grading only summative assessments and others using an 80/20 system.

Some students at RAHS have expressed that motivation to do work has always been a struggle and it seems impossible to do work at times. To learn, however, it is paramount that students stay motivated to complete all work throughout the school year.

Social Studies teacher David Preslicka believes that the new grading initiatives are changing what happens in the classroom.  Preslicka said,“[we are] constantly finding other incentives for students to do work because bringing ideas from home into the classroom is very helpful in a classroom setting and creating an environment where students are going to be engaged.”

“[The 90/10 system] makes people feel unmotivated to do their formatives, when it’s worth ten percent of their grade,” said sophomore Bence Jecsi.

He explained that it didn’t just affect his motivation but his peers struggle to find motivation to get work done as well when it’s just 10% of their grade.

Many courses require students complete formatives and practice skills before reassessing.  Sophomore Chance Vang explained that reassessment policies have motivated him to do formative assessments.  “This year I’m forced to do my formatives if I want retake tests,” said Vang.