The district is considering making changes focused on measuring students’ content knowledge, rather than behaviors like missing assignments or turning in late work. Portland Public Schools (PPS) is considering adopting new ‘equitable grading practices’, which would change how teachers grade students. PPS is considering grading changes to reduce bias in the classroom. In the new grading, homework and group grades would also not be graded. A handout from the school district said historical data shows racial disparities in students’ pass/fail rate.
Concerns about bias in grading have raised questions about whether this fundamental practice truly measures a student’s knowledge and abilities fairly. “Whether or not a student does things on time is less important than what they do,” Gayle Thieman, a professor of curriculum instruction at Portland State.
Students from lower-income backgrounds may face biases in grading, as educators may inadvertently assume that they have fewer resources or support at home. Racial and ethnic disparities in grading are well-documented, with students from marginalized communities often receiving lower scores than their peers. In the Portland new grading system, students would not be scored for participation and effort because administrators said these can be scored with bias.
Relying on a variety of assessment methods, such as projects, presentations, and class participation, can provide a more holistic view of a student’s abilities, reducing the impact of bias from a single test or assignment. District administrators said these changes and others would make classrooms more fair and reduce bias. “What it’s doing is, it’s assessing mastery and accuracy,” PPS’ Chief Academic Officer Kimberlee Armstrong said.
Schools and districts should regularly analyze grading data to identify patterns of bias. This can lead to targeted interventions and systemic changes. The handout also instructs teachers to not assign zeros to assignments that are handed in late, or are missing. It also states that for students caught cheating, they are to face disciplinary action instead of having their grade be penalized.
