Job Discussion Forums

[Brooks]

I talked to a Japanese high school teacher about grades and I was surprised to hear how he had to grade his writing course, which he co-taught with an American:

5 = 80 or higher
4 = 65 or higher
3 = 45 or higher
2 = 25 or higher

I would be really discouraged if I had to do grading for a class like that. Does this sound familiar? I heard that this kind of grading wasn`t for all classes but I think for some electives.
I am from New York and it is different. 90 or more is an A, 80-89 is a B, 70-79 is a C, 60-69 is a D, and F is 59 or less.

[Nismo]

In a traditional K-12 setting:
90+ = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
59 - = F

However, in a traditional university setting grades are curved (bell curve, only a portion of the students will pass the class). The highest grade in the class will set the curve and the median is a C, determined with the average grade in the class.

In Advanced Placement courses in High School (AP courses - they apply towards college credits) you are graded on a scale of 5 which exactly matches the scale you mentioned:

5 = 80 or higher (This is an A)
4 = 65 or higher (This is a B)
3 = 45 or higher (This is a C)
2 = 25 or higher (This is a D)
Anything below a 25 is an F.

[taikibansei]

[Glenski]

At my school, the grading system is similar.

5 = 80-100%
4 = 60-79%
3 = 45-59%
2 = 30-44%
1 = 0-29%

On top of that, you may or may not be aware that there is a quota system for grades. That is, your school may have set a certain number of students who "must" receive the above scores 1-5.

15% must get 5
25% must get 4
40% must get 3
20% must get 2
0% must get 1

If the raw scores don't fit this profile, your school will find ways to make them fit. They could ask teachers to give more homework, extra reports, adjust "attitude" grade deductions, give bonus points, fudge test scores, etc. If none of that works, they will simply multiply all of the students' scores by some factor that brings the numbers in line with their desired quotas.

You can't fight this.

Read the following thread I started a long time ago on the topic. Not much else to add, but it is somewhat enlightening.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/teacher/viewtopic.php?t=6

[guest of Japan]

I've taught in two private high schools. The first was an exceptionally low level high school. The passing mark was 30%. I did fail a few students, but they were able to get credit for the course by attending a bonus lesson with another teacher. Failing grades were only to be given to students who simply didn't come to class or came to class and not only didn't do work, but also made my classes a living hell. Of course they had to fail the tests too.

In my current school the failing mark is 35%. I am to design tests that all students can pass. I'm allowed to make one hard test a year for shock value, but if the students do really poorly I have to make a really easy test next term. Attendance at my current school is not an issue and students can be a bit ratty at times, but they are not nearly as bad as my previous school. If Japanese teachers have students fail their tests they have to give make-up exams. If students fail their make-up exams they have to attend a bonus lesson. If students skip the bonus lesson the school is faced with a problem. They always cave in and pass the student.

I'm sure the Japanese staff adjust the grades I give later on. Just as I am not allowed to give a failing grade, I'm also not allowed to give a perfect score.

[Sweetsee]

My school also passes students at 30%.
Also, no one can fail. Every year there are a handful of students who in my opinion should not pass, but do. Every time I see them around school after I think to myself, hmmm, never passed my class.