I tell them that 90 is an A, but give it to them for an 89. Saves a lot
of time.
Michael T. Scoles, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology & Counseling
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR 72035
501-450-5418
>>> "Stuart McKelvie" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 05/08/07 4:14 PM >>>
Dear Tipsters,
I would not argue that the student should be given an A- in the
circumstances presented, particularly when 90% is the cutoff.
However, the case raises interesting questions about the precision of
our grading. If I had a final grade of 88.61% I would automatically
round it to 89%, just as a grade of 88.31% would become 88. Because we
actually give percentage grades at our institution, I am not faced with
the issue of granting an A- or a B. However, when someone obtains 49.61,
I am faced with the question of whether to pass the student.
In these circumstances, and indeed whenever the final percentage is
above 48, I do review the components of the mark, particularly because
the maximum percentage based on multiple choice in my courses is 18%. At
the end of the course, the part of the student's work that I usually
have to hand is the final examination. I look over that to see how I
allocated points.
The general question is this:
When we calculate a final percentage grade, how reliable is it? Another
way of putting this is: What is the standard error of measurement?
Sincerely,
Stuart
______________________________________________
Stuart J. McKelvie, Ph.D.,
Department of Psychology,
Bishop's University,
2600 College Street,
Sherbrooke,
Qu��bec J1M 0C8,
Canada.
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phone: (819)822-9600, Extension 2402
Fax: (819)822-9661
Bishop's Psychology Department Web Page:
http/:www.ubishops.ca/ccc/dev/soc/psy
__________________________________
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