Students grading others painful, but useful lesson

Think back far enough and you can probably remember the teacher’s exact words — something to the effect of, "Time is up. Put your pencils down and pass your paper to the person behind you." Still causes your heart to freeze up a bit, doesn’t it? Not only were you sick with worry about your grade, but you felt like you had to do damage control to keep your classmate from making an embarrassing comment about your test answers.

While the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold such agonizing grading practices induces empathy for students everywhere, it was indeed the right decision. Teachers need some freedom within their classrooms to create assignments that will challenge their students and teach them real-life lessons. Allowing students to examine other students’ work is a reasonable practice.

As Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote, "Correcting a classmate’s work can be as much a part of the assignment as taking the test itself … It is a way to teach material again in a new context, and it helps show students how to assist and respect fellow pupils."

Justice Kennedy is correct — as long as that is how such grading is practiced in the classroom. Students grading fellow students should never be used by the teacher in order to avoid having to do the work himself, but rather as a means of teaching students how to responsibly and respectfully critique another person’s work. Students on the receiving end benefit from learning how to handle criticism — something they’ll undoubtedly face in adulthood no matter what job or profession they choose.

Subjective grading is another thing, though. Final grades, which could influence a student’s grade point average should be determined by the teacher, not a fellow student. Grading a multiple choice test is one thing. Grading an essay exam is something else. While both types of test-grading can be beneficial to students, final grades on subjective exams should be decided by the teacher, not a student who might not fully understand the material herself.

It is up to the teacher to make sure students understand the rules and responsibility involved in grading someone else’s work. As many people know, teasing and put downs during the K-12 years can stay with a person forever.

So, chins up, students. You may not get that coveted A on every test or assignment, but you can ace how you handle a fellow student’s feedback.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 13

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

State single-payer health care bill offers many advantages

I was excited to read in Will Geschke’s report (“Everett lawmakers back… Continue reading

Important national story missing from Herald

I couldn’t find a report in The Herald that the Trump administration… Continue reading

Comment: Trump’s ‘Man-of-Steel’ shtick will make U.S. weaker

Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum will harm allies we need and won’t help industries here.

Comment: AG Bondi’s DEI memo more messaging than lawsuit threat

Talk of criminal investigations is intended to panic corporations into abandoning their DEI programs.

Goldberg: Why Musk, Vance went to bat for self-desribed racist

While a former Trump official is on the outs for doing his job, a proud racist gets his job back.

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care

With more in need of skilled nursing and assisted-living services, funding must keep up to retain staff.

bar graph, pie chart and diagrams isolated on white, 3d illustration
Editorial: Don’t let state’s budget numbers intimidate you

With budget discussions starting soon, a new website explains the basics of state’s budget crisis.

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Feb. 12

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Welch: State Democrats’ bill would undermine parental rights

The bill would allow kids as young as 13 to make mental health decisions without notice to parents.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.