Many students have experienced the shock of reaching the end of a marking period thinking they’re passing a class, only to be surprised by the final grade on their report card. For some, checking grades is a regular habit. And while grade books are readily accessible, some teachers don’t always update them in a timely manner.
The debate about whether teachers should adhere to time constraints for grading classwork and assessments is a tale as old as time. Students are held to deadlines — so should teachers be held to the same standard when it comes to posting grades?
Many students argue yes. Grades help them track their progress and determine whether they need to request extra credit assignments. For some, grades can influence college decisions or even determine whether they graduate on time.
Mr. Krokondelas, one of the AP U.S. History teachers at Cardozo, shared his thoughts on the matter. “I think teachers should have a time restraint when it comes to grading assignments because students should know in a timely fashion how they’re doing in their classes.”
He also noted that it’s unfair for students to be left in the dark about a grade without proper evidence to support it.
Students have echoed this frustration, especially when assignments and exams are returned long after they were submitted.
Kyla Malcolm, a junior, said, “I feel like teachers should be obligated to follow the same strict expectations that they set on us students.”
She added, “Although I do also feel like if a teacher is allowing students to turn in late work, they should be extended the same grace and opportunity to return work back late.”
Other students, like sophomore Kayla Wyatt, agree. She pointed out the stress that comes from waiting on grades and emphasized the mutual benefit for students and teachers alike.
“Teachers generally should follow a reasonable time constraint to better help with their time management, and it can help with the improvement of students,” Wyatt said.
Still, not everyone agrees that teachers should be bound by strict grading deadlines. Denis Pope, an English teacher and now a senior lecturer at Stanford University, reflected, “The first thing kids would do is go to the back of the paper, look at the grade, and never read my comments.”
This comment showcases a concern many teachers share. Some worry that students care more about the grade than the learning process itself. When grades become just numbers to chase, feedback can lose its impact. For that reason, some teachers take additional time to provide more thoughtful, personalized feedback.
This takes a substantial amount of time, as each student has different needs and requires different attention to assignments.
Many educators argue that grades aren’t just numbers — they’re tied to detailed feedback that can help shape a student’s educational journey. On the other hand, students argue that grades are crucial to their futures and deserve timely attention. In the end, teachers and students both need to support each other in the learning process in the classroom.
