Educators' Perspectives on Grade Inflation, Motivational Grading, And Emotional Responses

Authors

  • Anita Muho Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, University “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës, Kampusi Universitar, Spitallë, 2000, Durrës, Albania
  • Rregjina Gokaj Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, University “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës, Kampusi Universitar, Spitallë, 2000, Durrës, Albania
  • Helena Grillo Mukli Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, University “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës, Kampusi Universitar, Spitallë, 2000, Durrës, Albania
  • Lindita Lutaj Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, University “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës, Kampusi Universitar, Spitallë, 2000, Durrës, Albania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.223.236

Keywords:

educators' perspectives, grade inflation, motivational grading, emotional responses

Abstract

Aim. This study investigates the multifaceted nature of grading within the Albanian educational system, aiming to comprehend its complexities and impact on educators. It focuses on grade inflation, motivating grading practices, and educators' emotional responses, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods. The research addresses educators' perceptions of grade inflation, strategies for motivating grades, and emotional experiences in assigning end-of-semester grades. Quantitative analyses are utilized to gather comprehensive insights. Data collection includes surveys and interviews with educators across various educational contexts.

Results. The findings reveal significant difficulties for educators in assigning partially undeserved grades and providing motivating grades. Despite these difficulties, educators express pride in their grading practices. The study highlights the emotional landscape of grading, particularly the heightened stress during the pandemic. It also assesses educators' perceptions of grade inflation and its impact on the assessment system.

Conclusions. Albanian educators face grading challenges, especially with undeserved grades and grade inflation, impacting their emotions. Support, localized strategies, and policy reforms are needed to enhance the educational experience and integrity.

Practical application. The insights gained from this study can inform educators, policymakers, and stakeholders, fostering a conducive environment for learning, growth, and equity. The research emphasizes the importance of localized strategies to enhance the grading experience within the Albanian educational system.

Cognitive value. This comprehensive approach contributes valuable knowledge to the discourse on educational grading practices in Albania. By exploring nuanced aspects of grading, the study sets the stage for meaningful discussions and interventions, addressing the unique challenges faced by Albanian educators.

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Author Biographies

  • Anita Muho, Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, University “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës, Kampusi Universitar, Spitallë, 2000, Durrës, Albania

    An esteemed Associate Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages at the University "Aleksandër Moisiu" Durrës. She had her undergraduate degree from the University of Tirana, Faculty of Foreign Languages, specializing in "English Language and Teaching."

    Her academic journey reached its pinnacle with a doctorate from the University of Tirana in Pedagogy, focusing on the "Effects of different assessment methods on students' motivation in foreign language acquisition." Dr. Muho's commitment to advancing knowledge in her field is evident through her active participation in both national and international scientific conferences. She has contributed significantly to the academic community through the publication of numerous scientific articles in esteemed national and international journals.

    Dr. Muho holds a pivotal role as a member of the editorial board for the international scientific journal "Journal of Contemporary Educational Research and Innovations (JCERI) ISSN 2249–9636" and the "Journal of Leadership and Policy in Schools" by Routledge, USA, with ISSN: 1570-0763 and Online ISSN: 1744-5043.

    Her administrative leadership is noteworthy, having served as the Head of the Foreign Languages Department at the Faculty of Education, University "Aleksandr Moisiu" Durrës since July 19, 2018. Dr. Anita Muho's multifaceted contributions underscore her dedication to the advancement of education, language pedagogy, and scholarly research in her field.

     

  • Rregjina Gokaj, Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, University “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës, Kampusi Universitar, Spitallë, 2000, Durrës, Albania

    A full-time professor at the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, “Aleksandër Moisiu” University of Durres, Albania. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Tirana in 2012 and later earned the title of “Associate Professor.” In 2016, she participated in an academic exchange at the University of West Hungary. Additionally, she holds a Master of Sciences in Clinical Psychology.

    Prof. Gokaj specializes in Literary Linguistics and teaches a variety of courses, including Literary Theory, Teaching Literature, Intercultural Pragmatics, Semantics, Psycholinguistics, Literary Genres, and Theories of Translation.

    Her research interests span teaching, language, literature, and translation.

     

  • Helena Grillo Mukli, Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, University “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës, Kampusi Universitar, Spitallë, 2000, Durrës, Albania

    Born on 12.04.1973. She completed University studies from 1991 – 1995 where she graduated from the University of Tirana, Faculty of History-Philology, Language-Literature Branch with the title “High School Teacher of Albanian Language and Literature for the”. In 2007 completed "Master's degree in Linguistics" at the University of Tirana with a micro thesis entitled "Albanian language of the city of Himara" (Dialectological and sociolinguistic reviews) and pursued updated publications in polemical articles on the changes in the language situation of Himara region. In 2009, she began studies at the "Cirili e Metodi" University in Skopje, as the chair of Albanian language, in pursuit of the title “Doctor of Philosophy" in the field of linguistics with the thesis: Tendency of today's linguistic development in the dialect-written language axis, and 2012 received the title: "Doctor of Philosophy". From June 2010 onwards, she has worked as a full-time teacher at University "A. Moisiu" Durrës and teaches the following courses:

    Introduction to History of the Albanian language, Grammar of Albanian language, Introduction to linguistics, Academic writing, Spelling, Theoretical linguistics.

    She contributed to drafting the syllabi of various Bachelor and Master study programs.

    Dr.Grillo is an active part of the CFE in AMU, participating in various teacher training, mainly with modules for teaching the Albanian language. She has participated in many conferences and symposia inside and outside the country, discussing various issues of the development of Albanian language. A part of the works deals with the measurement of the uses of grammatical forms and orthographic uses in linguistic communities, mainly of children from different age groups, which give a concrete contribution to teaching and the groups of Albanian language texts publications.

  • Lindita Lutaj, Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Education, University “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës, Kampusi Universitar, Spitallë, 2000, Durrës, Albania

    A lecturer at the Department of Pedagogy at Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës. She holds a degree from Eqerem Çabej University in Gjirokastër, a Bachelor's degree in Pedagogy from the University of Tirana, and a Ph.D. in Pedagogy from the University of Tirana. On November 16, 2022, by decision No. 355 of the Academic Staff Promotion Commission of the University of Tirana, she was awarded the title of "Associate Professor."

    From 2006 to 2016, she worked as a part-time lecturer at Aleksandër Xhuvani University in Elbasan. Since 2015, she has been working as a part-time lecturer at the University of Tirana, teaching the Methodology of Teaching course. Prof. Assoc. Dr. Lutaj has authored over 40 publications in scientific journals and regional, national, and international conferences. She has also developed modules for teacher training and collaborated on various projects supported by international partners.

    Her disciplines at UAMD include Methodology of Teaching, Didactics of Democratic Citizenship Education, Education with Human Rights, Professional Ethics of the Teacher, etc.

     

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Published

2024-09-25

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2024): Journal of Education Culture and Society

Section

TRANSGRESSION

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Copyright (c) 2024 Anita Muho, Rregjina Gokaj, Helena Grillo Mukli, Lindita Lutaj

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How to Cite

Muho, A. ., Gokaj, R., Grillo Mukli, H., & Lutaj, L. (2024). Educators’ Perspectives on Grade Inflation, Motivational Grading, And Emotional Responses. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(2), 223-236. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.223.236