• quantitative studies of the composition of K-12 report card grades ( Teachers vary widely in the criteria they use to assign grades , making it difficult for students and their parents to understand what a grade really means );
• survey and interview studies of teachers ’ perceptions of grades ( Although grades usually reflect students ’ academic achievement , some teachers use grades to reward students for appropriate behaviors , like regularly attending class , or to punish students for a perceived lack of effort or non-compliance with class rules , like not turning in assignments on time );
• studies of standards-based grading ( Modern efforts to improve grading often involve dividing subjects into subskills or standards , and grading each separately . Language arts , for example , may include separate grades for reading , writing , listening , speaking , and language skills ); and
• grading in higher education ( With little knowledge of effective grading policies or methods , most college professors grade students as they were graded , perpetuating the use of ineffective practices .)
The authors contend that the gap between the knowledge base and current practice may be greater in grading than in any other area of education today .
Guskey hopes the paper ’ s findings will lead to more effective practice , point education researchers to future areas of study , and add to the national conversation on grading policies .
The paper ’ s authors include :
• Susan M . Brookhart , Duquesne University
• Thomas R . Guskey , University of Kentucky
• Alex J . Bowers , Teachers College , Columbia University
• James H . McMillan , Virginia Commonwealth University
• Jeffrey K . Smith , University of Otago
• Lisa F . Smith , University of Otago
• Michael T . Stevens , University of California at Davis
• Megan E . Welsh , University of California at Davis
NEWS BRIEFS
Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program Earns Re-Accreditation
The Counseling Psychology Program has been re-accredited by the American Psychological Association ’ s Commission on Accreditation for the full seven years . The accreditation represents the program ’ s commitment to undergoing the rigors of self-study and extensive peer review to make sure that it provides the highest level of scientist-practitioner training to doctoral students . APA-accredited programs are required to undergo re-accreditation review on a regular basis in order to remain accredited .
Hammer Develops Mental Health Professions Career Test
How do students determine which mental health occupations – of which there are more than 20 – could be a good fit for them ? Dr . Joseph Hammer has developed the Mental Health Professions Career Test to help students answer this question . The test is free and can be taken anonymously .
Hammer
Counseling Psychology Graduate Student Featured in October APA Monitor
UK counseling psychology student Della Mosley was featured in the October issue of the American Psychological Association ’ s ( APA ) magazine Monitor on Psychology about students leading anti-racism efforts . Her work was previously highlighted in APA ’ s GradPsych article , Campaigning for Social Change .
Counseling Psych Graduate Student Blogs about Careers at Community Health Centers
Counseling Psychology graduate student Igor Vasilj recently published his second piece on the Time2Track blog , The Pros & Cons of Working at a Community Health Center .
EDP Students Featured in NBC News Article
The work of Educational , School , and Counseling Psychology students on behalf of racial justice has been featured in an NBC News article , “ Black Student Movements Are Evolving With Time .”
COE COMMUNICATOR | FEBRUARY 2017 | 5