Should Schools Stop Giving Grades?

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1. 01Should Schools Stop Giving Grades?

   Good morning, everyone. Have you ever studied only for the test, and then forgotten everything? I have, many times. Some educators believe the problem is grades themselves. Today, I'll look at both sides: should schools stop giving grades?

   大家早安。你有沒有過只為了考試而學習，考完就全忘了的經歷？我就有過很多次。一些教育工作者認為，問題出在分數本身。今天，我們從正反兩面來看看：學校應該取消打分嗎？

2. 02What Would It Look Like?

   First, what would a school without grades look like? Instead of an A or a seventy-five, students would get written feedback about what they did well and what to improve.

   首先，沒有分數的學校會是什麼樣子？學生得到的不是A或者75分，而是書面反饋，告訴他們哪裡做得好、哪裡需要改進。

3. 03For: Focus on Learning

   Supporters say removing grades would shift the focus from scores to learning. Without the pressure of a number, students might take more risks, ask more questions, and follow their curiosity.

   支持者認為，取消分數能把關注點從分數轉移到學習上。沒有了數字帶來的壓力，學生可能會更敢於嘗試、更多地提問，並跟隨自己的好奇心。

4. 04For: Better Feedback

   They also argue that a single number tells students very little. A comment like "Your argument is strong, but your examples need more detail" is much more useful than a B-plus.

   他們還認為，單單一個數字能告訴學生的東西非常少。像「你的論點很有力，但例子需要更多細節」這樣的評語，比一個B+有用得多。

5. 05Against: Motivation and Clarity

   On the other hand, critics point out that grades motivate many students. A clear grade tells students and parents quickly whether someone is on track or needs help.

   另一方面，批評者指出，分數能激勵很多學生。一個明確的分數能讓學生和家長很快知道，一個人是進展順利，還是需要幫助。

6. 06Against: Universities and Fairness

   There's also a practical problem. Universities and employers often need a simple way to compare applicants. And written feedback can be more subjective than grades, which might be less fair.

   還有一個現實問題。大學和用人單位常常需要一種簡單的方法來比較申請者。而且書面反饋可能比分數更主觀，這可能會不太公平。

7. 07My View: Fewer Grades, More Feedback

   In my view, the answer is fewer grades, not zero grades. Practice work and drafts could be ungraded, with feedback only. Grades could be kept for final tasks, and always come with comments.

   在我看來，答案是少打分，而不是不打分。練習作業和草稿可以不打分，只給反饋。期末任務可以保留分數，而且一定要附上評語。

8. 08Conclusion

   To conclude, grades are a tool, not the goal. If we use them less often and explain them better, students can learn for learning's sake, while still knowing where they stand. Thank you.

   最後總結一下，分數是一種工具，而不是目的。如果我們少用分數，並把分數解釋得更清楚，學生就能為了學習本身而學習，同時也知道自己處在什麼位置。謝謝大家。