A tool used to adjust student scores in an effort to moderate the relative distribution of grades. This adjustment aims to address situations where an assessment may have been excessively challenging, or when the overall class performance is lower than anticipated. For instance, if a class average on an exam is significantly below the desired benchmark, this method may be employed to raise scores, potentially by adding a fixed number of points to each student’s grade or by statistically rescaling the scores.
The employment of this grading adjustment method can foster a perception of fairness among students, particularly when an assessment is deemed exceptionally difficult. It can also mitigate the impact of unforeseen circumstances that may have affected overall class performance. Historically, this practice gained traction as instructors sought to maintain a consistent standard of achievement across varying assessment difficulties and student cohorts. The use of such tools may aim to reduce student stress and provide a more accurate reflection of a student’s mastery of the material.
