Portfolios vs Grading
 

In most schools and universities, grading is an integral part of the education process. However, the use of grading negatively affects the quality of education. For example, grading encourages "A" students to study obsessively and become perfectionists -- often to the neglect of their social and emotional development -- and discourages "C" and "D" students from wanting to study at all.

Grading coerces students into spending most of their time on lessons and homework assignments  that are often poorly designed and lacking in educational value. It reduces the time available for more interesting, valuable, and productive methods of learning such as : individualized study programs; student-designed projects, presentations, and activities; and mentoring opportunities in the students' fields of interest.

The best teachers know how to motivate students without giving graded assignments and tests. In the school system, this isn't possible for a number of reasons, but the best teachers will still give out fewer graded assignments and tests than other teachers.

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