A bell-shaped curve in theory describes the learning abilities of the students in the room. In standards-based grading, the school system agrees upon a standard of performance for a given content. Student performance is compared to that standard, and all students who succeed are given a score that accurately describes that level of success, no matter how many there are. Ideally, all students will succeed and get the good scores they deserve. Back to the list of questions.
Research indicates that the opposite is true.
The very best students are motivated by their own internal desire to learn. More importantly, students very quickly learn to accept the grades they are getting. Only a small percentage work competitively for higher grades. Most students work as hard as it takes to get the grades they are accustomed to getting, even if those grades are D's and F's. Back to the list of questions.