The Case Against Zeros in Grading -- make them more mathematically fair

[PatriciaMoening]

Our school policy is to give no score less than 50%. In other words "Missing" work or low scoring work would be recorded no lower than 50%. It is still failing, but this makes it easier for their grade to recover.  

On Canvas, I can set the "missing" to 50%, but I am still trying to figure out how to do it for low scoring items other than manually. 

I am hoping to find a way to annotate this adjustment without the misunderstanding about marginal success when the actual score would have been much less.

• Can a minimum score be calculated behind the scenes on Canvas?
• Could there be an asterisk or something next to the adjusted scores?
• Suggestions???

[TrishaMeyer1]

Hi @PatriciaMoening . This is an older post, so I'm not sure if you're still looking for a solution.

I don't see a way to make a setting for a minimum score (other than for late work deductions), but you should be able to use the Set Default Grade option on individual assignments to do what you want.

Grade the assignments using the Speedgrader. For scores >50% just put in the score as usual. If a student earns less than 50%, don't enter a grade in the box. Use the Comment feature to post the actual score, if desired, or just an asterisk or whatever symbol you want to use.

Once you have entered all the other scores, use set the default grade option to fill in all the missing ones (actual missing ones as well as those with lower scores that you left blank). From Gradebook view, next to the assignment name click on the snowman (three dots) and select Set Default Grade. Type the value that corresponds to 50% in the box. DO NOT check the box next to Overwrite already-entered grades. When you click Set Default Grade, all the empty boxes will populate with the 50% score; other scores will not be affected.

Students with comments will see the comment box on their grade report and will be able to see the actual score or whatever you put in the comment area.