Do We Give A Zero Or 50% For Work Not Turned-In? Here Are Some Useful Commentaries

I think I do a pretty good job on grading and am generally successful in having students be less concerned about “points” and more concerned about learning.

You can read more about my thoughts on the topic, and those of others whom I respect, at The Best Resources On Grading Practices.

I was intrigued by some tweets I saw on the topic of giving students fifty percent instead of a zero for work that is not completed.

Here are some commentaries on that topic – some were shared in response to my request, others are ones that provoked by asking for further explanation:

you’re confusing 50% of work with 50% credit.
100-point scale gives an F 60% of the scale. giving 50/100 only reflects an even 10-point range for each grade.
No one would support 0-10=F, 11-20=D, 21-30=C, 31-40=B, and 41-100=A, right?
Why is the other way okay, then?

— Abraham Angel (@mrangelteaches) September 27, 2018

Still surprised when educators do not realize how unfair and mathematically flawed giving students a zero is. Why is it so difficult to understand that a 50 can = F…why should F = 0-64 and all other grades = 10 points? https://t.co/1zSzT9ESXs @rickwormeli2 #grading

— kris felicello (@KFelicello) September 26, 2018