Grading Essays

As I read the essays for class on Wednesday (although I was too sick to attend), the idea of fair grading kept creeping into my mind. This issue has me completely torn, and I will explain why.

As a student in high school, I always put 110% into everything I did. I was naturally a good student, but I always aspired to be great. I only got one B throughout high school, and that B was devestating! :) So, when I was a student, I felt like not everyone deserved an A, because not everyone worked as hard as I did. Now, getting deeper and deeper into my teacher's education program, I don't know how I feel anymore.

What if everyone in your class actually does deserve an A? I mean, I know the chances are slim, but the thought of not being able to give a grade to a deserving student makes me sick to my stomach. Aren't teachers supposed to give a certain number of A's, B's, C's, D's, and maybe even F's? That is exactly what my high school teachers used to tell me. If this is true, this is completely absurd. If you as a teacher work your "behind" off to get the students where they should be and they reciprocate by applying themselves, shouldn't they get an A or a B? It just doesn't make sense to me.

Unfortunately, as usual, I do not have an answer to my ramblings. I constantly think about subjects such as this, and maybe one of you guys has more insight than I do. I just get frustrated by almost every question concerning education being "unable to answer."

*~*Tara Biggs *~*