Williams Ch 10: Portfolio Grading

"Some teachers object to holistic scoring on several grounds. Many believe that putting grading in the hands of students will aggravate the already bad state of grade inflation (There is no evidence to support this belief, however). Others believe that no matter how carefully one socializes students they will never be as accurate in their assessments as teachers, owing to the disparity in maturity and reading experience. Still others are convinced that it is a mistake to grade every composition students produce because students will be inclined to focus on grades rather than process. And finally, some believe that student writing performance can be assessed accurately only by an outsider, not by the students' teacher or by the students themselves" (Williams 328).

This paragraph stood out to me as I read. All of the differrent opinions as to what is the best type of grading for students. And who is to decide? Should every teacher grade the same, or how they feel is best? There are four grading beliefs in the aforementioned statement. Read, assess, and tell why you agree or disagree with each.

1. I believe that putting the grade in the hand of the student can be good and bad. First, I feel that the student can give himself or herself a grade witht the pretense that the teacher will read over it and it will have to be justified otherwise it will result in a lower grade. I do, however, agree with stament that grades shouldn't be completley at the hands of students.
2. Students are not going to be as smart as their teachers or professors. But with practice, say at a college level, students will have certain skills (depending on their area of study) to find as many mistakes, and assess a work the way the professor would have. It may also be good practice depending what major you are. But, I still do understand how teachers have had more schooling and know the ropes better.
3. Students will not necessarily focus on grades rather than process if every work is graded. Personally, I would focus more on process if it was graded. That way, it will be the best work I can submit instead of lackluster work for no grade.
4. I suppose it makes sense that only an outsider can accurately grade a students paper-- they have no preconceived notion. However, it is the teachers task and job to forget any of these and grade on a scale or rubric fairly and justly.