A Review of Grade Appeals Informing Productivity and Efficiency in Teaching

Background

The process of how students appeal a grade varies from university to university. The preferred route for contesting a grade is for a student to speak with the instructor finding resolution and avoiding a grade appeal grievance altogether. However, if no resolution comes from the conversation between the student and the instructor, a formal grade appeal grievance may ensue. Most universities begin the grade appeal process with the student filing a grievance (Berkeley Division Regulation, nd; University North Carolina Charlotte Policy 410, p. 2014). It is then reviewed by the college or university approved faculty or committee and a decision rendered based on the policies of the organization. Most organizations consider this a final decision and no further appeals can be made.

The process for filing a grade appeals grievance is grounded in the rights of students to due process. This process will vary depending on the university or college and is generally found in a school’s catalog. It allows students a method to dispute a posted grade. This occurs when a student believes their instructor has posted the wrong grade. For example a student may believe a failing grade should have been passing, or that a “B” assignment really was an “A” assignment. These processes vary somewhat from institute to institute but ultimately the goals are the same, they provide students a voice and due process.