How Letter Grades Affect Students’ Motivation/Pros and Cons Of Letter Grades

Grades are like scores you get in school. They show how well you did on a test or assignment. But do grades help students stay excited about learning? Or do they make kids feel stressed? 

Schools didn’t use A, B, C, D, or F grades long ago. Teachers just wrote notes about how students were doing. But in the 1800s, schools needed a faster way to check students’ work. A man named William Farish came up with grades to make things easier.  

By the 1900s, most schools used letter grades. The system made it simple to compare students. But some people think grades don’t always show how much a student has learned. As a teacher, I have come across very brilliant students who somehow don’t score well and get average grades in theoretical exams but top the practical’s.

 Every student has a different way of showing their understanding. However, students’ motivation is categorized as intrinsic and extrinsic.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation 

Intrinsic motivation means doing something because you enjoy it. For example, you draw pictures because it makes you happy. Extrinsic motivation means doing something to get a reward or avoid trouble. For example, you finish your homework to get extra playtime or avoid scolding.  

Intrinsic comes from inside you, like playing soccer because you love it. Extrinsic comes from outside, like cleaning your room to earn pocket money. Both help you get things done, but intrinsic motivation makes you feel proud and excited.  

Do Grades Motivate Students From Inside or Outside?

Grades usually motivate students from the outside (extrinsic). They work like rewards, they try hard to get an A or avoid an F. It’s like earning a prize for good work.

But sometimes, grades can also motivate them from the inside (intrinsic).

 If they love a subject, like math or reading, they enjoy learning even without grades. The good grade just makes them feel proud of what they already like doing. But the best motivation comes when they learn because they truly enjoy it!

How Do Most Schools Give Grades?  

Teachers give grades based on tests, homework, classwork, and how hard a student tries. Grades help students know what they’re good at and where they need more practice. Remember, grades are just one way to measure learning; what’s most important is that they keep trying their best! Most schools use a scale like this:  

• A = Excellent (90-100%)  
• B = Good (80-89%)  
• C = Average (70-79%)  
• D = Needs Improvement (60-69%)  
• F = Fail (Below 60%)  

Some schools also use + and – (like B+ or A-). This system helps teachers rank students quickly. But it’s just a quantitative measure of your performance in studies. Want to calculate your own grade? Use our grade calculator to get the exact grade instantly.   

Positive And Negative Effects Of Grades On Students

Grading systems have positive and negative side effects on the students. Let’s discuss all of them one by one. 

Good Things About Grades  

When students get a good grade, it’s like a high-five for their effort! Grades also help them see where they can improve, so they can keep growing smarter and stronger. They make the families proud and help them set goals, like getting even better at spelling or science. Remember, grades aren’t just about being “perfect”; they’re about celebrating progress. The positives are:

• Clear Feedback, grades tell students what they did well and what needs work.  
• Motivated, some kids work harder to get an A or B.  
• Easy to understand, parents and teachers can quickly see progress.  
• Prepares for the future, colleges and jobs often look at grades.  

Bad Things About Grades  

Grades can sometimes make kids feel sad or worried. If they get a low grade, they might think they’re not smart enough, but that’s not true! Grades don’t always show how hard a student tried or how much they improved. 

Some kids get stressed about tests, and a bad grade can make them scared to try again. Also, grades might make them focus only on scores instead of having fun while learning. They can even find friends who compare themselves to each other, which isn’t fair because everyone learns differently. Here are a few negative impacts of grades

• Stress and pressure, as some kids feel scared of bad grades.  
• Not always fair, one test doesn’t always show how much a student knows.  
• Kills creativity, students might focus only on scores instead of loving learning.  
• Comparison problems, kids may feel bad if others get higher grades.  

Why Do Grades Matter So Much? 

Even though we know that grades hurt some students but it has to be kept in mind that they are needed in many ways in the later stages of their life. They let the teacher and family know if the child understands the lessons or needs extra help.

Grades matter because:  

• Colleges look at them, good grades help you get into better schools.  
• Parents care about them, many parents reward kids for high grades.  
• Jobs sometimes check them. Some companies ask for school records.  

But grades don’t tell everything. A student with low grades might still be very smart in other ways.  

How to Focus on Learning (Not Just Grades)  

Grades are motivation as they help to compete and grow, but the real focus is on learning. Ask students to focus on asking cool questions, trying new things, and enjoying discoveries. If they make mistakes, let them know that these are the first steps to learning. 

Grades aren’t the only way to measure success. Here are better ideas:  

• Give helpful comments, instead of just a grade, teachers can write what the student did well and how to improve.  
• Let students try again, f a student fails a test, let them learn and retake it.  
• Use pass/fail sometimes, some schools just say pass or fail instead of letters.  
• Project-based learning lets students show what they know through projects, not just tests.  

Different Types of Grading Systems

The grading system is now becoming very common for schools to categorize where the students stand. Through these, they mold their curricula to handle all levels of students, whether weak or smart.

Not all schools use A-F grades. Some try new ways:  

• Standards-Based Grading: Students are rated on skills instead of letters.  
• Narrative Reports: Teachers write full reports instead of giving grades.  
• No Grades at All: Some schools let students learn without grades.  

Each method has pros and cons. The best system helps kids love learning!  

Final Thoughts  

Grades can help, but they can also hurt. The best schools find ways to keep students excited about learning, not just chasing an A.  When they focus on learning, grades will follow. Remember: a curious mind grows stronger than a perfect score. Grades are just one way to measure success. You can also use a grading calculator to get your grade instantly. 

Even if kids don’t get the grade they hoped for, what matters most is that they keep growing and never stop being curious.

FAQ’s

Should schools have a grading system to assess students?

The grading system should not be the only way to assess students. Every student is not the same. Some feel stressed out, some feel motivated. The best way is to mix grades with feedback and efforts to get the maximum results.

Why do some children stop trying after getting a low grade?

Sometimes it seems like a failure to the students, and they get frustrated. They get demotivated and start thinking negatively.

Why do schools use A-F grades?

Using grades is a quick way to assess students, but it does not tell whether the student was able to learn anything or not.

What is intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation comes from inside. Something that you love to do and feel happy about it. Extrinsic motivation comes from outside. Doing something to get a reward at the end. Or to meet external expectations.