Ethical vs. Unethical: Teachers' Perception on Grading

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

To provide in-depth solution to the recurring complaints regarding teachers' grading practices, a study assessing teachers' stand on ethical grading, entitled "Ethical vs. Unethical: Teachers' Perception on Grading" was conducted.

METHODS

Framed by Oregon State University's ethical grading list, and Green's suggestion of ethical grading practices, the study focused on finding out which grading practices teachers deemed ethical, which practices they deemed unethical, and whether or not there is an agreement as to which is ethical and which is not.

RESULTS

After surveying the whole population of teachers at Pooc Elementary School, results showed that: 1) a high percentage considered manipulating grades to pass students to the next level as ethical; 2.) a high percentage considered using surprise quizzes and test items in determining grade as unethical; 3) fewer than half of the scenarios presented in this study reached a consensus of whether it is unethical or ethical.

DISCUSSIONS

These findings suggest that grading practices in Pooc Elementary School is currently an educational realm without professional consensus. A solution must be formulated to gauge the ethical principles of teachers in terms of grading which can be translated into the making of an ethical grading policy.