Grading Mainstreamed Special Needs Students: Determining Practices and Attitudes of Secondary Vocational Educators Using a Qualitative Approach

Abstract

Despite the importance of grades in our educational system, empirical research examining issues related to the grading of students with special needs has received relatively little attention. To address this situation, a qualitative research approach was used to explore a select number of these issues. An in-depth, semistructured interview was used with a purposive sample of 10 secondary vocational educators. Four themes (conclusions) emerged from an analysis of the data. First, a description of successful grading practices and problems/concerns experienced by teachers when grading students with special needs were examined. Second, the perceptions of educators concerning intended and actual messages that grades communicate to others was explored. A third issue focused on the degree of undergraduate/graduate preparation and inservice staff development teachers have received on issues related to grading students with special needs. Finally, a majority of those participating reported experiencing a developmental process of gradually changing grading practices. Implications for practice and recommendations for future research were also provided.