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More than a GPA: Inside the movement to end letter grades in Jewish education

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A growing movement in Jewish education is abandoning traditional letter grades in favor of proficiency and progress assessments.
  • Schools like Oakland Hebrew Day School use detailed feedback to help students improve, focusing on growth rather than comparison.
  • Proponents argue traditional grading creates pressure, undermines intrinsic interest, and can negatively impact Jewish identity and learning.

At the Oakland Hebrew Day School, students write essays on Torah passages and receive detailed feedback on their progress. However, they do not receive traditional letter or number grades. Instead, assessments focus on helping students improve their work and deepen their understanding.

We’re not ranking them in comparison to anyone else. We’re most interested in students’ growth in relation to their learning.

· Tania SchweigHead of school Tania Schweig explains the school's philosophy on student assessment.

"We're not ranking them in comparison to anyone else," said head of school Tania Schweig. "We're most interested in students' growth in relation to their learning." This approach aligns with a small but expanding educational trend to replace traditional grading with assessments of student proficiency and progress.

Grades in Judaic studies make kids feel judged as Jews, diminishing their Jewish identity.

· Manette MaybergManette Mayberg, founder of the Jewish Education Innovation Challenge, discusses the negative impact of grades on Jewish identity.

Research indicates that grades can promote superficial studying and cheating, while diminishing students' intrinsic interest in subjects. For Jewish schools, the stakes are even higher. Manette Mayberg, founder of the Jewish Education Innovation Challenge (JEIC), stated that grades in Judaic studies can make students feel judged as Jews, potentially harming their identity. "They internalize those grades as a judgment of their Jewish learning capability, which is the exact opposite of what Torah is meant to be: for everyone according to their ability," she explained.

They internalize those grades as a judgment of their Jewish learning capability, which is the exact opposite of what Torah is meant to be: for everyone according to their ability.

· Manette MaybergMayberg elaborates on how grades can misrepresent a student's connection to Jewish learning.

JEIC aims to foster a love of learning for its own sake, rather than for the pursuit of good grades or college admissions. "A lot of kids are just working for the grade," said Sharon Freundel, managing director of JEIC. "And that's a terrible way to internalize Jewish values and wisdom."

A lot of kids are just working for the grade. And that’s a terrible way to internalize Jewish values and wisdom.

· Sharon FreundelSharon Freundel, managing director of JEIC, comments on student motivation and the internalization of Jewish values.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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