How Grading In Education Affects Student Learning And Education In School

Although the A–F grading scale used today in the United States was established by educators at Mount Holyoke University in 1897, educators have been somewhat divided on the numeric grading system for much longer. The debate centers largely around learning outcomes and how numeric grading in education affects student motivation and classroom fairness. That said, many experts also express concern over its impacts on student well-being.  

Whether grading is beneficial, detrimental, or a combination of both may vary greatly depending on several factors. The role of the individual also plays a large part: While grading in education might be effective for some students, it might not be helpful for and may even be detrimental to others. Here, we'll discuss the role and potential pros and cons of grading and how it can impact student motivation and mental health.

Pressures around school performance can cause stress

Learn to manage it effectively

What is grading in education, and what does it aim to achieve?

The grading process involves assigning a “rank or level of quality given to a product, substance, person, or organization.” Within the context of education, it informs how teachers calculate student competencies in certain areas. In contrast to assessments based on verbal feedback, grading assigns a numeric value to an individual’s school performance based on classroom assignments and tests. There are several core goals of grading. They include:

• Measuring academic performance
• Providing feedback for improvement
• Communicating achievement to parents, colleges, or employers

Grading’s influence on motivation, from elementary to high school learning and beyond 

Several psychological theories of motivation outline what drives people toward or away from a specific goal. Some suggest that behavior is motivated by an individual’s innate need to maintain optimal physiological arousal and well-being. Others posit that human behavior is motivated by factors we can more easily manipulate, such as incentives, rewards, or pressures.

Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation 

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are often associated with traditional grading systems and student motivation. Intrinsic motivation involves a person's innate drive toward things that interest them. Conversely, extrinsic motivation can be defined as an externally sourced reason to initiate or continue a certain behavior. In a classroom setting, extrinsic motivation may arise from environmental incentives such as grades. 

The role of grading in fear-based learning

Fear is another source of motivation that drives behavior according to the presence or intensity of something we fear. Grading systems can play a significant role in fear-based learning. For example, they may create an environment in which fears of the consequences of a low grade motivate students rather than a love of learning. 

Potential positive impacts of grading on student learning

In some cases, grading can have a positive effect on student learning. When combined with quality feedback and clear expectations, it can act as a tool to guide a student toward better understanding and academic growth. The grading system can positively facilitate learning by incentivizing effort and improving student work in several areas.

Letter grades for accountability and structure

In some cases, a grading system may effectively hold students accountable for their academic performance. It might play a role in motivating students to take ownership of their learning and set goals for improvement. 

Focus and organization 

Students can use their grades to gauge their learning progress and identify areas where they need to focus more effort. This knowledge can help the student organize a goal-oriented, time-based plan for improving those areas. 

Student performance assessment

By analyzing grades, teachers can assess student performance and identify those requiring additional support or interventions to succeed. The grading system also provides students a simple way to see where they stand academically and understand their performance relative to others. 

Expectations for student learning achievement 

Letter grades can help set clear expectations for student achievement. In some cases, grades serve as a clear way to communicate a student's academic performance to parents, guardians, and other relevant parties, which can open the door for dialogue and solutions. 

Potential negative impacts of grade-based learning 

In some cases, grade-based learning might make a positive contribution to student motivation. However, it can also harm some students’ academic performance and learning outcomes in the short and long run. Research on education and learning indicates that graded systems may also have several other potential disadvantages. 

Focus on performance over learning 

In a conventional grading system, students may prioritize grades over understanding. When students prioritize only achieving high grades, they might use conditioned learning and memorization tactics to pass tests rather than truly comprehending the subject matter. 

Limited feedback 

A single letter grade often doesn't provide sufficiently detailed feedback to students about their academic performance. When students can't identify and understand their strengths and weaknesses on a deeper level than a grade measurement, they’ll likely encounter barriers to academic improvement.

Impact of grading in education on fairness and objectivity 

Biases in the grading systems can significantly impact fairness. Instructors may subjectively grade student work, leading to inconsistencies in how students are assessed. Research suggests that race- or gender-based discrimination and other biases may affect the grades teachers give, which may significantly impact the classroom environment and the educational outcomes of students. Additionally, measuring academic achievement based on grade comparisons between students doesn't always consider differences in learning styles or diverse individual needs and strengths.

Impact on creativity and critical thinking 

For some students, a traditional grading system may discourage risk-taking and exploration, potentially impacting their ability to think critically and solve problems. It may also create an atmosphere of competition that hinders creative, collaborative learning. 

Alternatives to traditional grading systems

Research on learning systems and how they impact student outcomes reveals a wide variety of potentially successful alternatives that aim to provide more detailed insights into student understanding beyond a single letter grade. Alternative learning systems may be a way to deliver more effective feedback and clearer expectations as well as opportunities for active engagement in the learning process. Such alternatives may also reduce bias by focusing on specific skills and progress rather than comparing students to each other. 

Standards-based grading practices for elementary through high school

Standards-based grading (SBC) is a type of alternative grading in which student marks are determined according to specific learning standards versus an entire assignment. For example, a teacher might measure a student’s aptitude in solving a multi-step math problem using a scale of one to four, with one indicating minimal understanding and four indicating complete mastery. A final grade may be calculated according to a student’s mastery of each standard through multiple assessments. SBC also provides teachers and students alike with deeper insight into areas needing improvement and the foundation to work on them together. 

Competency-based education

This assessment model focuses on mastering skills rather than achieving letter grades. It's often self-paced and uses real-life experience to determine a student's success. A competency-based approach provides a holistic way to evaluate students’ learning through accumulated work. These types of programs are often college-level and internet-delivered. 

Narrative feedback in education 

In the context of grading practices, narrative assessment involves providing detailed, qualitative feedback instead of or in addition to numeric or letter grades. Through this model, teachers may gain a more nuanced picture of a student's journey that highlights both strengths and areas for development. It may also be more helpful when establishing a goal-oriented plan for student improvement.

School performance and mental health 

For some students, high academic performance provides a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-esteem. For others, it can create emotional distress and diminished well-being. When school pressures do impact mental health, not everyone experiences the same level of stress. It often depends on an individual’s ability to cope and their level of support from teachers, counselors, or parents. 

Persistent pressure—whether from oneself, outside influences, or both—can cause anxiety and stress, especially when students interpret that they are not meeting expectations. Academic performance that doesn’t meet given standards can negatively affect a student's confidence and overall self-perception. Such interpretations can create a cycle of self-doubt, potentially leading to decreased motivation, anxiety, and depression. 

Additionally, comparing oneself to peers who seem to be achieving higher grades can exacerbate perceptions of inadequacy and low self-worth. In some cases, academically struggling students might become targets for bullying, further impacting their self-esteem and mental well-being. Stress related to school performance can also affect an individual's physical health, which is linked to mental health. For example, stress over poor grades may disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and difficulty concentrating. 

How to support students experiencing academic stress

Research suggests that academic stress is a worldwide issue that can affect every facet of a student’s life. Understanding its sources, symptoms, and consequences can help inform effective intervention strategies. Self-care and positive lifestyle habits like eating nutritious foods, getting plenty of quality sleep, and engaging in regular exercise may help lay the foundation for effective stress management. A strong support system of friends, family, teachers, and peers may also help. 

Another way to support students with academic stress is to help them receive the care of a licensed counselor or therapist. Studies suggest that therapy, including online therapy, has the potential to boost one’s ability to cope with the mental and emotional distress associated with academic stress. For example, a post-COVID meta-analysis of 17 studies indicates that online intervention had a significant impact on depressive symptoms in participants, particularly in adolescents and young adults—many of whom were affected by academic stress. The same study also suggested favorable outcomes for individuals experiencing anxiety and social issues. 

The reasons behind such successes are varied. Some research suggests that, among adolescents, the “most valued benefits of online therapy include alleviation of stigma” and increased availability. Online therapy typically offers more convenience and flexibility in accommodating student schedules and may also provide connection to a larger pool of therapists with diverse experience and specialization. 

Pressures around school performance can cause stress

Learn to manage it effectively

The future of letter grades in the learning process

Overall, the future of grading will likely shift from a more traditional “A–F” approach to a more collaborative, balanced system of evaluating student learning. Instead of simply assigning a letter grade, educators may provide a more holistic approach to student assessment that emphasizes individual progress, deeper understanding, and a focus on skills development. To help students achieve success, teachers may use more diverse assignment methods, including but not limited to performance-based tasks, portfolios, and presentations. 

Takeaway

In its current form, the letter grading system has its pros and cons. Although we may continue to see letter grades in the future of education, the structure may evolve to work with other educational methods, providing a more nuanced, holistic experience for students. Regardless of teaching methodologies, academic stress can be an issue for students of all types. 

While it can be an effective motivator for some, stress can lead to diagnosable mental health conditions like depression and anxiety if left unaddressed. Practicing healthy habits and seeking support from a therapist may be helpful for students experiencing academic stress.