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The University has agreed to the following general descriptors for student achievement for the key course-grade bands (A, B, C, and D). These grade descriptors are designed so that both students and faculty can share an understanding of what is necessary to achieve the grade.
The development of grade descriptors reflects the move from norm-referencing, where students are graded with reference to their peers, to criterion-referencing, where student performance is evaluated against the achievement of learning outcomes.
It is not expected that all potential learning outcomes covered by the descriptors will be achieved or assessed in particular courses. Staff will need to consider what weighting across the range of potential outcomes is appropriate for their own course assessments.
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Key Learning |
A: |
B: |
C: |
D: |
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Understanding and demonstrating subject knowledge |
Comprehensive grasp of the subject matter; study beyond core requirements |
Good knowledge and understanding of the main subject matter |
Adequate knowledge and understanding of core subject matter |
Threshold knowledge of core subject matter |
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Applying concepts and knowledge– Defining and solving problems; Competence in discipline-specific skills/ skills for professional practice |
Expertise in problem solving and skills for professional practice |
Competence in problem solving and skills for professional practice |
Competence in dealing with familiar, well-defined problems; adequate skills for professional practice |
Threshold ability to deal with familiar, well-defined problems; potential to achieve key professional skills |
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Demonstration of higher cognitive skills– Creativity; Analysis and synthesis; Making comparisons, judgments and evaluations |
Demonstrated creativity and significantly high ability to think critically in analyzing and evaluating issues |
Demonstrated capacity for analyzing and evaluating issues; makes well-grounded judgments |
Some capacity for analysis, critical thinking, and making judgments in familiar situations |
Ability to make basic comparisons, connections, and judgments, but work is generally descriptive and reproduces content |
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Ability to learn– Setting goals; Motivation, reflection and accountability; Aptitude for working with others on learning goals |
Demonstrated capacity for scholarship and cooperation with others to achieve goals |
High motivation to learn, persistent effort, and an ability to work with others |
Evidence of persistence and effort to achieve broadly defined learning goals |
Has benefited from the course and has the potential to develop in the discipline |