Many teachers and students debate about whether papers should be marked according to effort or achievement. Some students would naturally prefer to receive grades according to effort, because this way they would write according to quantity and not really according to quality. With this they would not have to study as hard, and would receive ‘easy grades’. Few students accept the fact that grading according to achievement is better preparation for university or college. High grades should be given for achievement and not for the effort a student puts into the assignment. Assignments test students’ knowledge and skills, and their ability to apply these to their work, and not how hard they try.
Achievement is something accomplished by superior ability, special effort or great courage, a task that has been set and attained. It is what most schools consider when evaluating students’ grades. Children attend school to learn and study for university, college, and whatever they have planned for the future. Nowadays education is the most important aspect needed to attain a decent job. When papers are graded according to attainment, the pupils can see how much of what they have learned actually became part of their basic knowledge, to be used over and over again, and what aspects they still need to work at. If students would receive grades purely according to effort, they would not be able to tell what they have learned properly and what still has to be learned. They would think that they do not have to study hard and will slack off in this section and simply write what comes to mind, not using their learned skills and knowledge. Receiving grades for attainment, they may be encouraged to work harder to increase their grades further. Essays, for example, test one’s ability to use their skills and combine them with one’s knowledge. In the end, the feedback will help the pupil improve their works and skills.
Students go to school to learn and prepare for university and...