Which grading system is more beneficial to students?

The introduction of Veracross to the AISG community and the ongoing change in each subject department’s grading system perplexed students and teachers alike. Many questioned the necessity of a sudden change in the grading system and expressed their curiosity about the changes that have been made.

Until last year, the vast majority of AISG teachers inserted students’ grades in Aspen, and Aspen would assign a number corresponding to each specific grade. The number Aspen assigns for each letter grade, however, is inflated because it indicates the highest number within the range of each letter. For example, letter A includes a range from 93 to 97, and as long as the score students obtain on exams falls between this range, the teacher will submit A for the student’s grade on Aspen. Then, Aspen automatically recognizes the letter A as 97, which is likely to be higher than the score students received on exams. Aspen takes into account the weight of each assignment and gives a number according to that; the teacher uses the number to give a corresponding letter grade at the end of the semester.

Some teachers do not base a student’s semester grade on Aspen number but rather use professional judgment to evaluate student’s performance and decide the grade. There were different approaches as to how AISG teachers assigned semester grades; however, starting from this year, all the teachers have to take the latter approach. Although the change seems evident from the student’s perspective, IBDP coordinator Ms. Martin Baeur states that “there is no change, whatsoever” regarding the grading system at AISG. She even said the teachers were already told to assign grades based on their own professional judgment.

Regardless of the changes that have been made while transitioning into Veracross, most students at AISG are content with the new system for two main reasons. Firstly, they can check their grades as soon as they are out. Secondly, students need not be concerned about failing miserably on one test because they can make it up for it later with improved grades. Teachers will take into account the improvement students have made and assign grades that reflect the student’s true ability.