13 Ways Teachers Used to Grade That Wouldn’t Fly Today
Some grading methods used in the past would be considered biased, unclear, or inappropriate in schools today.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Teaching has changed over time, especially in how students are graded. Many older grading practices lacked fairness, consistency, or proper feedback. Here are 13 methods teachers once used that are now discouraged or no longer allowed in most schools.
1. Grading Based on Behavior, Not Work
Andrea Tummons on Unsplash
In the past, some teachers gave high grades just for being quiet or respectful. This could raise grades for polite students even if their work was average. On the flip side, talkative or restless kids sometimes got lower grades, no matter how strong their work was. Today, behavior is usually kept separate from academic scores.
2. Publicly Posting Grades
De an Sun on Unsplash
Some teachers used to write test scores or class rankings on the board. Everyone could see who did well and who didn’t. This embarrassed some students and made others feel pressured. Now, student privacy is protected, and grades are shared individually.
3. Taking Off Points for Handwriting
Micah Boswell on Unsplash
Even if the answers were correct, some teachers would deduct points for sloppy or messy handwriting. Students with fine motor issues or different writing styles often got lower grades. Today, most grading focuses on content, not handwriting, especially with more typed work.
4. Zero for Late Work Without Exceptions
Kaboompics.com on Pexels
Missing a due date often meant an automatic zero, no questions asked. Teachers rarely considered illness, emergencies, or learning challenges. Now, many schools allow late work with a penalty or offer flexible deadlines. The focus has shifted toward effort and completion.
5. Extra Credit for Non-Academic Tasks
Jane Adams on Wikimedia Commons
Some teachers gave extra credit for bringing in tissues, decorating the classroom, or completing unrelated tasks. This helped students who could afford supplies or had extra time. Today, extra credit is expected to be tied to learning, not chores or favors.
6. Grading Participation Without Clear Rules
Gaurav Tiwari on Unsplash
Teachers often gave part of a grade for “participation” without explaining what that meant. Quiet students sometimes lost points even if they were paying attention. Now, many schools ask teachers to use clear rubrics and avoid grading based on personality.
7. Giving All Students the Same Homework Grade
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
In some cases, entire classes got full credit or a group grade, even if some didn’t do the work. Or one student’s mistake could lower the grade for everyone in a group. Today, students are usually graded as individuals to reflect their own effort and understanding.
8. Changing Grades Based on Mood
Maxim Tolchinskiy on Unsplash
Some teachers were known to grade harder when they were tired, annoyed, or having a bad day. They might also go easier on a student they liked. Now, schools expect teachers to follow grading rubrics and remain consistent to avoid personal bias.
9. Grading in Red Ink Without Feedback
Nic McPhee on Wikimedia Commons
A red pen was often used to mark mistakes harshly, without any explanation. Students saw their errors but didn’t learn how to fix them. Modern grading practices encourage helpful comments and more supportive language to guide learning.
10. Surprise Pop Quizzes That Heavily Affected Grades
chia ying Yang on Wikimedia Commons
Teachers sometimes gave unannounced quizzes and counted them heavily in the final grade. Students who had one off day could suffer greatly. Today, surprise quizzes are rare or count less, and many schools focus more on overall progress than on one-time tests.
11. Only the Final Answer Was Graded
Gabriela on Unsplash
If a student got the wrong answer, the whole question was marked wrong, even if the process was mostly correct. This punished students who showed their thinking but made small mistakes. Now, partial credit is often given when the work shows good reasoning.
12. No Clear Grading Criteria
RDNE Stock project on Unsplash
Some students never knew how their work was being judged. There were no rubrics or examples. Grades felt random or based on what the teacher “liked.” Today, most schools ask for clear expectations and consistent standards so students know how to succeed.
13. Using Grades as Discipline
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Teachers would sometimes lower grades as punishment for talking, not sitting still, or forgetting supplies. These issues weren’t related to learning but still affected report cards. Now, discipline and academics are usually handled separately to keep grading fair.