The government proposes a new grading scale without negative marks and with a starred top mark
On Thursday, the government presented its proposal for a new 8-point grading scale. The government wants to discard the grade -3 and introduce more grades in the middle of the scale. Finally, it proposes to reward the extraordinary effort with a grade of 12 combined with a star. The government will finance the proposal by cutting government funding for educational programmes.
On Thursday, Minister for Children and Education Mattias Tesfaye (Social Democrats) presented the government's proposal for a new grading scale together with Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund (Moderates) and Minister for Urban and Rural Affairs, Morten Dahlin (Danish Liberal Party).
The government intends to replace the current 7-point grading scale with a new 8-point grading scale. Like the previous scale, the new scale contains two grades for failed performances, but the lowest possible grade will be 00, as grade -3 is being abolished because, according to the government, it can disproportionately lower the overall grade average. In addition, the middle of the scale will be expanded with the grades 6 and 8, while grade 7 will be removed. As is currently the case, the top of the scale consists of 10 and 12. However, the government will introduce the option of supplementing the top grade of 12 with a star to honour exceptional performance. However, the star will not be weighted in the average.
The government also emphasises that the new scale should contribute to a more positive learning environment and reduce the pressure to perform. Furthermore, it can be communicated internationally and doesn’t limit Danish students' opportunities to be admitted to international universities.
“Pupils and students shouldn’t be nervous about saying something wrong in class because they’re afraid of making mistakes that will lower their grades. We need a grading scale that focuses positively on achieving goals rather than on the number of mistakes made. I also believe that we should once again have the opportunity to reward exceptional performance to motivate students to make an extra effort, take chances and think outside the box," says Minister for Education and Science Christina Egelund in a press release.
CRITICISM OF THE 7-POINT GRADING SCALE
The work on developing a new grading scale isn’t new. In spring 2020, the previous government appointed a group of experts to advise the government on the advantages and disadvantages of different grading scales. Over the years, there has also been criticism of the current 7-point grading scale, which was introduced in the upper secondary schools in 2006 and in other educational institutions in 2007. Most recently, in its February report, the Welfare Commission recommended that the grading scale be changed so that there are smaller steps between grades on the scale and so there’s less focus on shortcomings in performance.
An evaluation of the 7-point grading scale conducted by EVA in 2019 pointed out, among other things, that the descriptions of the steps in the scale emphasise the extent to which a performance meets academic requirements, thereby focusing on shortcomings. The evaluation also mentioned that there are large gaps between the middle grades and that there is no possibility of recognising exceptional performance.
FINANCED BY REDUCING GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES
The government proposes that the new scale be introduced in the upper secondary education, adult education and continuing education in August 2030, while basic education and higher education institutions will not introduce the new scale until August/September 2031. At the press conference, Mattias Tesfaye pointed out, among other things, that teachers and examiners must be trained to assess according to the new scale and that IT support must be in place. According to the government, the costs associated with the new scale will range from DKK 4 million to DKK 74 million annually during the implementation years. From 2039, the cost will be 24 million Danish kroner per year, which, according to the proposal, will primarily go towards maintaining IT developed for the new scale.
"The government proposes that the new grading scale be financed by reducing government funding for the educational programmes that use the grading scale," the proposal continues.
The proposal, including the financing, will now be subject to political negotiations.
This text is machine translated and post-edited by Lisa Enevoldsen.