Volume 65 No.3 - 2019-09-30

Research Notes/Scholarly Commentaries:On the Misuse and Reestablishment of the Pass/Fail Grading System in University Education

研究紀要/學術評論:論「通過／不通過制」在大學教育的誤用與重塑

Author：
Jun-Ru Lin、Kun-Han Lin、One-Soon Her / 林俊儒、林昆翰、何萬順
Keyword：
grade point average, pass/fail, zero-credit course, grading evaluation, learning planning / 成績平均積點、通過/不通過制、零學分課程、學習評量、學習規劃
  • Summary
  • Chinese Summary
  • Reference
  • Scholarly references
In this paper, we argue for the misuse of pass/fail grading system (P/F) in Taiwan’s zero-credit courses and depict the potential drawbacks and the thinking behind such policies. We first clarify the similarities and differences between P/F and other grading systems and explain the relationship between P/F and grade point average (GPA). We then reveal the close connection between P/F and the development of zero-credit courses in Taiwan’s university education. Based on the correspondence between credits and credit hours, we further demonstrate how P/F is seriously misused in the zero-credit courses of “service-learning”, “internship and practice of teaching”, and “graduation requirement of foreign language proficiency” and point out their possible drawbacks and the thinking behind such policies. From the perspective of education policies, P/ F, like other grading systems, has its advantages and disadvantages. Building on the discussion of the theoretical foundation of P/F’s suitability and applicability in terms of courses, participants, and learning phases, we propose a diversified approach towards designing learning planning. We thus further suggest that by considering a diversified range of grading possibilities, universities can reshape the direction of course management to better facilitate students’ individual educational goals.