Grade Calculator

The calculators mentioned earlier utilize specific letter grades and their common numerical counterparts based on grade points.

The Early Grading Systems

In 1785, Yale began ranking students with "optimi" as the pinnacle, trailed by second optimi, inferiore (lower), and pejores (worse). Over at William and Mary, a simpler system existed: students were classified as No. 1 or No. 2. Here, No. 1 denoted class toppers, while No. 2 was reserved for those deemed "orderly, correct, and attentive." In contrast, Harvard adopted a numerical grading system, scoring students from 1-200, but with exceptions for subjects like math and philosophy where a 1-100 scale applied. Post-1883, Harvard shifted to a "Classes" system, categorizing students from Class I to V, with Class V symbolizing failure. These systems, while diverse, underline the subjective and variable grading criteria across institutions, highlighting the necessity for a more unified grading method.

Mount Holyoke College: Pioneers of the Modern Letter Grades

Mount Holyoke College broke new ground in 1887 by introducing a letter grading scale akin to the prevalent system today. They employed the letters A through E, where E indicated failure. Interestingly, their grading benchmark was much rigid, marking anything below 75% as a fail. Eventually, Mount Holyoke re-adjusted their system, incorporating the letter F to signify failing grades (still set below 75%). This alphabetic grading approach gained traction in other educational institutions, both collegiate and secondary.

Today's Grading Nuances

While letter grading has become commonplace, there's considerable variation. Discrepancies arise in determining the threshold for an 'A' grade and whether to include nuances like plusses or minuses (e.g., A+ or B-).

Pros and Cons of Letter Grading

Letter grades serve as a straightforward way to represent a student's performance. While they can efficiently categorize performance in subjects where answers are black and white, like algebra, they might fall short in more subjective areas, such as essay evaluations.

The Challenges of Qualitative Evaluations

An in-depth written feedback might be more beneficial for students. However, there's a concern that neither students nor parents will prioritize reading such detailed feedback. Additionally, the significant time commitment required from educators for this approach can be challenging.

Saint Ann's School: A Qualitative Approach

Saint Ann's School in New York City, a private arts-centric institution, breaks the mold by forgoing letter grades. Instead, educators pen anecdotal reports for every student. This feedback-driven system emphasizes learning and continual improvement over merely chasing grades. However, this model remains an outlier in the U.S educational landscape.

The Viability of Scaling Qualitative Grading

While this feedback-intensive approach offers numerous advantages, its scalability is questionable, especially in large university settings with hundreds enrolled in a single course. Other schools, like Sanborn High School, have also adopted a qualitative grading system, but widespread adoption remains uncertain.

Merging Both Worlds

While the traditional letter grading system isn't going away soon, blending it with qualitative feedback could be a viable solution. This hybrid approach could standardize evaluations while fostering a genuine passion for learning.