I use a modified percentage grading scale, one that includes an
adjustment for the difficulty level of the examination. I compute the "mean
for mastery," the mean of the top 10% of scores. I then divide each raw
score by that amount and multiply by 100. This scheme is discussed by Kyle
Carter in TOP (April 1977, 59-62). Because one or two unusually bright
students in a small class can have undue influence on this grading system, I
also compute grades via a second scheme, one based on difficulty level
evaluated at the mean, by comparing each score with the mean (computed after
discarding outliers). Students get the higher grade of the two grades
indicated by these two grading schemes. This may sound like a lot of work,
but since I have an SAS program to do it all, it really just involves
clicking "submit."
Stephen said "Percentage grades are easily calculated, are readily
understood, and mean exactly the same thing at any institution.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Karl L. Wuensch, Department of Psychology,
East Carolina University, Greenville NC 27858-4353
Voice: 252-328-4102 Fax: 252-328-6283
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://core.ecu.edu/psyc/wuenschk/klw.htm
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