A Case for Subjective Writing Assessment

With frequent emphasis placed on objectivity in assessment, Dr. Ken Lindblom makes a forceful and informed case for why teachers might want to embrace their subjectivity.  Aside for it being unavoidable, Ken also thinks that it makes for better teacher-student relationships–and better pedagogy.  He writes:

This doesn’t mean teachers should ignore the responsibility to put aside some of their personal beliefs when they great student writing. In fact, teachers have a professional responsibility to be mindful of their personal biases and to ensure they do not interfere with their ability to grade student writing fairly.

Bottom line, teachers should not feel the need to be completely objective in their grading. Nor should they describe their grading as objective. Objectivity is impossible. It’s a fantasy. Objectivity–whether or not we, our students, their parents, our supervisors like it–is a myth.

But that’s good. Grading objectively is actually not desirable.

I can subjectively say that Ken’s post deserves an A.

Image from Pixabay