Question for Teachers - How do you grade your students

[CeciC]

Hello,
My DD1, in Y8, had her report for the first term yesterday, and even though happy overall with her grade, the grade for art she is unhappy with. She says that she had 4 graded homework projects this term with grade (first to last) 4a, 6b, 5b and 6a. The grade for end of term in Art is 5c. Now, of course it could be other aspects taking into account for the grade, but it looks like the final grade is incorrect and she is quita upset with it. Her last year grade was 4a. She wasn't happy with her teacher last year, but she is been happier this year. the teacher always picks her work as one of the best in the class, for what she feels very proud. She wants to do design (fashion) so Art is very important to her and takes it very seriously and she is afraid that if she doesn't have the grades she won't be allowed to do it.
TIA

[noblegiraffe]

The teacher probably looked at last year's grade and bumped it up a sublevel to show some progress has been made.

Individual pieces of work should not be levelled, or sublevelled, that's just nonsense and not what levels are designed for at all.

Really, don't pay attention to mid year level reports. Look at effort grades, and if they are good, then relax.

[Kez100]

Art, in education, is more than just the graded outcome.

The background research, development of the idea, the improvement of work, the outcome and evaluation of the outcome matter (at level 3). So, maybe, at level 2 that is the same and the teacher is taking everything into account?

[CeciC]

Thanks very much for the replies. You are probably right. It might be that the teacher looked at last year grade, and that is what DD1 thinks and that is what really upsetting her as she didn't think that the teacher last year (different one from this year) didn't grade her correctly. She thinks she graded her too low. I wouldn't know, I am not creative/artisitic person. She take art very seriously, researching her wrok, etc.... is never a rush work.... She wants to do Art all the way to A level.
Well, we have asked in the slip that the school gives to write comments, if the teacher could explain how she arrived at her grade. Hopefully we will hear from her in January.

[Kez100]

My daughter is at art college studying level 3 (although she never did art at level 2 so is no expert) and she says that being able to accept that different people will have different views on your work is of advantage if you are going to carry on art to a high level. She needs to have the confidence to know that she has done her best and if the teacher thinks she is 5c, so be it - but don't be a shrinking violet. Don't ask about the grade, instead ask what it is she needs to do to improve - to get 5b, 5a....6 and keep asking! Everyone can always improve and always learn.

[CeciC]

Hi Kez100, You are correct, and I try to tell her that, but at this age, mum is not always correct. I think what worries her is that if she doesn't have the level the school might not let her do GSCE Art.
Thanks

[FirstVix]

Also remember that those grades may well have been submitted 4 or 5 weeks before you received the report so may not take into account recent, sustained, improvements.
I also expect that Art teachers don't see students that often so first grade submission is usually very heavily influenced by previous 'attainment' grades.

[ravenAK]

If her grade last year was 4a, her end of year target will be 5b, so her grade now is 5c...

In all likelihood, teacher sees 100+ students a week, has been sent three contradictory lists of 'guidelines' by SLG on precisely how a report should be written, & has finally lost the plot & just cut'n'pasted the bally lot of them with all grades one sublevel below target.



I make it her grade should be 5a-ish. You/she definitely could challenge it, but teacher's probably saving the 5a for summer term so that she can show dd has met & exceeded her target. Has she had a formal exam in Art this term?