Inside Higher Ed Article: Imagining College Without Grades

An article from insidehighered.com discussing the value of dropping letter grades (A, B, F, etc.) in higher education and establishing a more comprehensive, narrative approach to student assessment. While it wouldn't be an easy transition, I instinctively love the idea. Letter grades are a completely inadequate way to assess student learning.

By the way, if you like the article you should also read the comments people post below the piece. The reactions to the article are also very interesting.

Key Excerpt:
"Many said they assumed that it was politically impossible to eliminate grades. But they heard from educators at colleges that have done so and survived to tell the tale. And notably, they heard from colleges offering evidence that the elimination of grades — if they are replaced with narrative evaluations, rubrics, and clear learning goals — results in more accountability and better ways for a colleges to measure the success not only of students but of its academic programs."

Title: Imagining College without Grades
By: Scott Jaschik

Link:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/01/22/grades