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Stephanie Kratz's avatar

Thanks for a fantastic post! I had an almost identical experience when I began using a 3-point rubric: students were discouraged by their low grades and frustrated that “if I get one little thing wrong, I’m already at a 67%!” Despite my reassurances that the 3-point scale was more of a guideline than a rule (students named their own midterm and final grades along with an explanation), it took most of the semester to reduce student anxiety. If only I could have read this post in advance of my class. This semester, I am still using a three-level rubric, but I increased the points assigned to each level. This seems to have reduced student anxiety. I will know more when I see midterm survey results next week. I appreciate you sharing what didn’t work because I was able to empathize with so much of it.

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Emily C Bruce's avatar

This is very familiar, if not in the details! Phenomenally useful essay as I get ready to return to the classroom after three semesters away (for research and having babies).

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