Latest News and Comment from Education

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Missing homework, late assignments matter little as Oregon schools grade exclusively on academic mastery | OregonLive.com

Missing homework, late assignments matter little as Oregon schools grade exclusively on academic mastery | OregonLive.com:

Missing homework, late assignments matter little as Oregon schools grade exclusively on academic mastery

schools.jpg
In this photo taken in 2010, Scappoose High sophomore Candice Thompson works to determine the area of a parallelogram, one of about 20 key skills she must master to pass her math class. Scappoose High was an early adopter of proficiency-based education, which emphasizes demonstrating skills over homework and class participation. All Oregon schools are having to move their grading in that direction this year. (Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian/2010)
Turning everything in neat and on time, bringing back signed forms and racking up extra credit won't boost grades. Turning assignments in late, skipping homework and talking during class won't hurt, as long as the student can demonstrate the key skills and knowledge covered in the course.
In reality, it won't always work that way, especially not in this first year that, by law, grades must be based purely on academic achievement. But educators agree it's causing emotional discussions, big policy changes and a huge culture shift in schools.
And almost everywhere, teachers and principals are wrestling with the question of how to keep students motivated and practiced at meeting deadlines if late work doesn't get docked.
"Turning in your work late is really a bad habit, no matter who you are or what you do," said Amy Jackson, curriculum director for Reynolds