2017 Middle School and High School Grading and Reporting Student Survey Results

Middle and high school students were surveyed about their experiences with the changes developed with the grading policies and current homework practices.

During Spring 2017, over 12,000 middle and high school students responded to a survey about their experiences with grading and homework. The survey focused on the recent changes to grading policies and current homework practices. Special attention was paid to student stress level related to these topics.

Middle School Demographics 

The Grading and Reporting Student Survey received 4,530 responses from Middle School students.

Student Grade Level:

  • Grade 6 - 1.74%
  • Grade 7 - 48.30%
  • Grade 8 - 49.97%

Students are currently taking:

Answer Choices Responses
No Honors/AAP/high school credit courses in middle school 11.27%
1 Honors/AAP/high school credit course in middle school 13.86%
2 Honors/AAP/high school credit courses in middle school 12.12%
3 or more Honors/AAP/high school credit courses in middle school 62.75%

High School Demographics 

The Grading and Reporting Student Survey received 7,738 response from High School students. 

Student Grade Level:

  • Grade 9 - 31.49%
  • Grade 10 - 27.57%
  • Grade 11 - 23.53%
  • Grade 12 - 17.41%

Students are currently taking:

Answer Choices Responses
No Honors/AP/IB/DE high school courses 12.83%
1 Honors/AP/IB/DE high school courses 9.51%
2 Honors/AP/IB/DE high school courses 14.44%
3 or more Honors/AP/IB/DE high school courses 63.22%

Summary of Middle School and High School Survey Data

Please select the best choice from the list below. Overall, when I have been given the chance to retake/redo one or more major assessments (for example: tests, projects and/or papers) it has:

Answer Choices Responses
Increased my learning but not my grade on the assessment. 8.06%
Improved my grade but not my learning. 20.63%
Increased my learning and improved my grade on the assessment. 42.56%
Has had no impact on my learning or my grade on the assessment. 4.15%
I have not taken advantage of the opportunity to retake/redo a major assessment. 3.48%
I have not been given the chance to retake/redo a major assessment. 1.14%
I have not needed to retake/redo a major assessment. 19.98%

How has retaking one or more major assessments (for example: tests, projects and/or papers) impacted your stress level?

Answer Choices Responses
It has increased my stress level. 51.02%
It has decreased my stress level. 28.82%
It has had no impact on my stress level. 20.16%

Please select the best choice from the list below. When I have been given the chance to turn in late work for credit it has:

Answer Choices Responses
Increased my learning but not my grade on the assignment. 9.46%
Improved my grade on the assignment but not my learning. 28.03%
Increased my learning and improved my grade on the assignment. 31.13%
Has had no impact on my learning or grade on the assignment. 7.13%
I have not taken advantage of the opportunity to turn in late work. 1.82%
I have not been given the chance to turn in late work for credit. 0.86%
I have not needed to turn in late work. 21.58%

How has the ability to turn in late work for credit impacted your stress level?

Answer Choices Responses
It has increased my stress level. 20.75%
It has decreased my stress level. 53.34%
It has had no impact on my stress level. 25.91%

I believe that my quarter grades accurately represent my learning.

Answer Choices Responses
Agree 22.10%
Somewhat agree 38.60%
Somewhat disagree 17.19%
Disagree 20.46%
Unsure 1.64%

I believe that homework is necessary for students to learn content.

Answer Choices Responses
Agree 22.76%
Somewhat agree 35.17%
Somewhat disagree 18.44%
Disagree 22.05%
Unsure 1.57%

How much total time do you spend on homework on an average school night? (Do not include time spent taking breaks, instant messaging, or using the computer for recreational use.)

Answer Choices Responses
Less than 1 hour 12.98%
Between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes 18.91%
Between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours 19.42%
Between 2 hours and 3 hours 21.15%
Between 3 hours and 4 hours 13.89%
4 or more hours 13.66%

Please rate how concerned you are about amount of homework.

Answer Choices Responses
Not at all concerned about this 10.19%
Slightly concerned about this 14.78%
Somewhat concerned about this 19.35%
Moderately concerned about this 29.38%
Extremely concerned about this 26.29%

Please rate how concerned you are about required reading at home.

Answer Choices Responses
Not at all concerned about this 38.55%
Slightly concerned about this 18.14%
Somewhat concerned about this 16.95%
Moderately concerned about this 15.01%
Extremely concerned about this 11.35%

Please rate how concerned you are about homework caused by overlapping due dates of tests/projects in multiple classes.

Answer Choices Responses
Not at all concerned about this 5.33%
Slightly concerned about this 8.23%
Somewhat concerned about this 13.62%
Moderately concerned about this 24.45%
Extremely concerned about this 48.36%

Please rate how concerned you are about homework assigned over the weekend and/or holidays.

Answer Choices Responses
Not at all concerned about this 12.18%
Slightly concerned about this 14.01%
Somewhat concerned about this 15.72%
Moderately concerned about this 21.15%
Extremely concerned about this 36.94%

Please rate how concerned you are about making up homework following absence(s) from school in a given time.

Answer Choices Responses
Not at all concerned about this 17.68%
Slightly concerned about this 15.38%
Somewhat concerned about this 18.16%
Moderately concerned about this 20.45%
Extremely concerned about this 28.33%

Please rate how concerned you are about level of difficulty of homework assignments.

Answer Choices Responses
Not at all concerned about this 18.78%
Slightly concerned about this 21.41%
Somewhat concerned about this 24.44%
Moderately concerned about this 20.35%
Extremely concerned about this 15.01%

Please rate how concerned you are about relevance or purpose of homework assignments is unclear.

Answer Choices Responses
Not at all concerned about this 19.34%
Slightly concerned about this 17.56%
Somewhat concerned about this 19.56%
Moderately concerned about this 18.18%
Extremely concerned about this 25.36%