Grading variability over the years — It’s interesting that this graph shows that average grades aren’t just rising overall but that public and private schools are diverging in their grading averages.

I’ve found that grading can be a very subjective experience, though obviously that’s not the goal. As an educator, I want to give students the grades they deserve as a result of their effort but also the feedback they need to learn and improve their thinking and understanding. The kind of feedback I give—coaching, encouraging, or just providing more information—varies a lot by the student’s background and ability. Ultimately, I view my role as one of sharing — sharing information and knowledge I’ve attained through my experiences, but also sharing in the information and experiences and thoughts my students bring to the classroom. I’m not sure if it’s ideal, but I’m learning!