When Grading Becomes Politicized
My research and writing on grading have generally been aimed at challenging toxic grading practices, such as the use of averages, the zero on the 100-point scale, and grading as punishment. But if ever a score of zero was warranted, it is the case of a University of Oklahoma student who was in a psychology class that required the use of research to analyze information and defend a conclusion. The student failed to cite the research that was assigned or any contrary research to argue a different point of view. Instead, the only citations were from the Bible. That may be an authoritative source in the minds of many people, but it is generally not regarded as academic research.
The university’s response, of course, was to support the instructor’s rigorous standards and uphold the university’s honor. Just kidding. The university’s response, after political pressure raised by the student who enlisted the help of political leaders in the state, was to place the instructor on administrative leave and ensure that there would be no harm to the student’s academic record.
While the low grade was appropriate, the best response by the teacher would be to allow the student to re-write the paper and respond to the assignment appropriately. The New York Times reports that challenges to low grades in similar situations have happened dozens of times. While I do not defend grading as punishment, I do defend fair and accurate grading. When most students understand academic requirements and play by the rules, and others evade the rules with impunity by enlisting political power to subvert their teachers, I side with the teachers.
Here’s the link: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/us/oklahoma-bible-essay-gender-teasing-zero.html
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