Grading policy. NUMERIC scores are used for IE Core, Writing, and Active Listening classes.
For other classes in the English Department, letter grades may be assigned, according to the following scale from the Student Centre: AA, A, B, and C are passing grades. XX is given to students who fail the class. Although X is listed as being a failing grade for students who have not attended the required number of classes, or who are absent from a final exam given during the official examination period at the end of the semester, avoid assigning that grade since no exams are given for the courses in the IEP. Also, an X grade means that students can request a make-up exam or report, which is not possible in the IEP.
AA: 90 – 100%
A: 80 – 89%
B: 70 – 79%
C: 60 – 60%
XX: Below 59%
X: Incomplete (Avoid giving this grade as it will only cause confusion and heartache for all involved.)
Please note that students in IE Core and Active Listening I and II classes must be informed at the beginning of class, and several times throughout the term, that they need to complete their EnglishCentral and Xreading work by their last class of the semester, not the final day that may be listed on the online course website.
Evaluation in all IE courses should be on the basis of individual achievement (how much progress the student actually makes in class), including performance and attitude and the student’s achievement of the course objectives. In the past, some IE Writing and Academic Writing teachers never gave any of their students marks of 90% or higher due to the fact that their students were still making errors in the writing. In fact, these teachers should have been giving some students the equivalent of an AA grade.
A student with a relatively low level of language ability who works hard, is highly motivated, and makes considerable progress may receive a higher grade than a student with a high level of language ability who makes little effort, is poorly motivated, and does not progress to a higher level. Additionally, a weak student who has completed most of the assignments, is cooperative in class, works well with other students, but has missed four classes, should be given the chance to pass the course.
Teachers should try to avoid the other extreme where too many students are given the equivalent of an AA grade. The students in our classes are hard-working and highly motivated compared to students in many Japanese universities. But the highest scores should be reserved to a small number of students in each class, perhaps 15-20%. Teachers should also take into consideration the fact that the IE level for each course is not recorded on transcripts.
