Overview

Grading is in some ways the least attractive aspect of teaching. It is sometimes tedious, often difficult, and rarely adequate in determining a student's mastery of the material. And it is very time consuming. But it has to be done.

It is often helpful to remind yourself that while grading written assignments is the major part of evaluating a student's performance in a class, it is also a teaching and learning opportunity. Learning to grade efficiently means maximizing the fairness with which you evaluate student work, but it also means maximizing the usefulness of your comments to students. Although some students' writing does not improve at all over the course of a single class, leading you to believe that they are not even reading your comments, other students will rise to the challenges you present to them in your comments. In fact, while teaching a discussion section that goes really well can give you a teaching high that lasts a whole week, watching the writing of even a single student improve over a ten-week period can make you feel like a successful teacher.

Individual professors will have their own methods of examining students. Some will require midterms, others won’t. Some will want one long paper, some two shorter papers. (Some professors will want to see samples of essays you have graded in order to gauge both your response to the students; and their progress in the class.

It is the TA's responsibility to grade his/her students' papers, midterms and finals, generally within ten days of receiving them.

Assigning Grades

The TA assigns the grades on papers and exams and determines his/her students' overall course grades, but the professor has ultimate responsibility for those grades and signs the grade sheet at the end of the quarter. Early in the quarter the professor will discuss with you the standards by which a student's grades are determined. Although grade changes seldom happen, the professor may change a grade if s/he sees fit. A student with a problem or a question on a grade given by a TA should first bring the matter up with the TA, but if resolution is not reached here, the TA should invite the student to go to the professor for a second opinion.

Please note that the Executive Committee of the College of Letters and Science has reminded all instructors that a student's legal right to privacy is jeopardized if graded exams and papers are left for pickup outside office doors. The Committee recommends that all graded papers and exams be returned to students during class or office hours, or that students furnish self-addressed stamped envelopes for the purpose of returning them. Unclaimed papers and exams should be kept on hand for one year.
Occasionally, students will come back after the quarter break asking you to change their course grade. Most professors leave this decision to the TA, but be aware that such changes must be submitted to Cheadle Hall by the professor. Also be sure to check your final grades on the office printout the computer does occasionally goof. Whereas a 3D TM fulfills a requirement, a "C" registers as a "No Pass" for students taking the course Pass/No Pass. You are not permitted to ask a student if they are taking the course Pass/No Pass.