Ginny noted grading has several purposes beyond evaluating learning, including feedback on what and how much is learned, motivation, demonstration of progress toward particular goals, communication to outside and transfer agencies and organization of classes into unit or assignment chunks. Ginny Anderson looks on as faculty discuss and debate at the March Professional Development Day. Anderson also pointed out the best grading plans are made before class ever begins. Good grading starts with a good, clear syllabus and assignments that clearly meet particular course goals.
Instructors can decide to do weighted letter grading or accumulated totals.
Some systems leave room for students to individualize preferences and assignments. Make sure you are grading what is valuable. This is much harder than it might seem. Look back at the course based on what you evaluated. Remember, not every assignment needs to be graded.