Case Against Zeros Grading

Please read the Edutopia article at https://www.edutopia.org/article/case-against-zeros-grading?utm_content=linkpos1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-2021-10-13-A&utm_source=edu-newsletter

It is an old problem, and as this teacher bemoans, giving a zero for a missed assignment is not just mathematically incorrect, it is a brutal, draconian and demoralizing to the children.

While the teacher may argue that for work incomplete the child deserves nothing, it is so horrendous to award a 0 for a missed assignment. The child can never recap his/her previous grade standing with a 0 factored in, as Ms. Tamony writes: "I wanted my grade book to be: an accurate reflection of student knowledge. I also don’t want my grading practices to be demotivating."

How many children give up when they see that they will not be able to recap the B that they were on their way to achieving. The answer to that is most. This is just the sign of the times. I over heard some young men speaking this morning, and one was asking the other if a certain person was his friend. The answer was that we were friends in the hall when we were both thrown out of class. The negativity and loss of morale that our young people feel is devastating to so many lives that could have been productive and meaningful. The number of these young people who give up of life entirely is so on the rise. You do not need me to cite statistics.

I welcome comments from other teachers and administrators. Would you be able to enforce a no "0" law in your school? This is one clear way to keep motivation high and more children excelling. They and your future are worth it.