1. Education  Grades and Grading Policies  What do Grades Really
Mean   What is the purpose of grades? What do grades really
mean? What is the difference between and A and a B? Why do
grades even matter? All of these are important questions that
teachers should consider and be prepared to answer. Why? Because
the end result of a semester's worth of teaching will be summed
up in one grade. And while grades in the middle school years are
not typically life changing, those in high school can make a
huge difference. Grades not only determine whether students will
receive a diploma but on the other end of the spectrum, which
schools and scholarships students are eligible to attend or
receive.  One thing that should become clear after reading the
last paragraph is that it is key for teachers to have a
consistent and fair grading policy. Grades given for subjective
assignments should be based on rubrics in order to make the
grading as fair as possible. This will not only help ensure that
students are given an equal