The arguments of Robert L. Ebel and Ernest O. Melby on abolishing the grading system in schools, show disagreements of value for the most part. They both agree on need for reform of the grading system. Ebel thinks teachers must dedicate more time into grading fairly, using the grading system. Melby believes in abolishing the current grading system and suggests, instead, the use of a more descriptive evaluation when reporting a student's progress. In his argument Ebel defends the current grading system. He lists possible rebuttals to his argument and offers a counterattack for each of these. Melby, on the other hand, takes a stand against the grading system and appeals to the audience's imaginative sympathies. He uses more of a pathetic appeal by emphasizing the negative impact the current grading system can have on a child's education.

At the beginning of his argument, Ebel, lists some of the common opposing arguments to the current grading system. He recognizes that these problems with the grading system exist, therefore he affirms: "The remedy for problems pointed out in some of them is not to get rid of grades, but to do a better job at grading" (2).

use this worn-out system [grading system] to motivate pupils, but all the studies I have seen show that marks have no motivating effect."

considers the problem is grave due to his drastic proposed solution. About the current grading system he affirms: "It should be abandoned at all levels of education" (104).

excellence in society. To Melby, the grading system deteriorates a student's self-concept, and becomes a stumbling block in the path of the student's learning. He believes it takes students to seek the wrong goals in education and constrains their individual development (104).

Some common words found in the essay are:
Experimental Education, Ernest Melby, grading system, current grading system, current grading, Measurement Education, Nation's Schools, Ebel Melby, terms people, 2 melby, student's self-concept, effective learning, melby hand, low grades, differentially graded, argument ebel,
Approximate Word count = 1156
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)