A grading tool adjusts scores based on the overall performance of a class, typically raising individual grades. For example, if a difficult exam results in low scores across a group of students, this tool can proportionally shift each grade upwards, ensuring a fairer distribution that reflects understanding relative to the test’s difficulty. This avoids penalizing students for a challenging assessment.
Such adjustments are valuable in mitigating the impact of unusually difficult exams or inconsistent testing environments. By normalizing scores, educators gain a clearer picture of student comprehension relative to the class average. This practice can also reduce student anxiety associated with high-stakes testing, fostering a learning environment focused on understanding rather than solely on achieving a specific numerical score. Historically, the concept of adjusting grades has existed for decades, although the specific methodologies and availability of digital tools have evolved over time.