Are Professors Required to Fix Grade Errors?

The Issue of Grade Errors

Grade errors are a common problem in academia. A 2019 study by the National Education Association (NEA) found that 25% of students reported experiencing a grade error at some point in their academic career. These errors can range from simple miscalculations to more serious mistakes, such as a professor giving a student the wrong grade for an assignment.

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Grade errors can have a significant impact on students. They can affect a student’s GPA, their ability to get into graduate school, and even their future career prospects. In some cases, grade errors can even lead to students being expelled from school.

The Professor’s Responsibility

When a grade error occurs, it is the professor’s responsibility to fix it. This is because the professor is the one who is ultimately responsible for assigning grades.

Professors have a legal obligation to ensure that the grades they assign are accurate and fair. This obligation stems from the fact that students have a right to due process in the grading process. Due process requires that students are given notice of the grading criteria and that they have an opportunity to challenge any grade errors.

How to Fix a Grade Error

If you believe that you have been the victim of a grade error, there are a few steps you can take to get it fixed.

Talk to your professor. The first step is to talk to your professor about the error. Be polite and respectful, even if you are upset about the situation. Explain the error to your professor and provide any documentation you have to support your claim.
File a formal grievance. If you are unable to resolve the issue with your professor, you can file a formal grievance with the university. The grievance process will vary from university to university, so you will need to check with your university’s registrar’s office for more information.
Seek legal advice. If you are still unable to get the grade error fixed, you may want to seek legal advice. A lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the university or the professor.

Preventing Grade Errors

There are a number of things that professors can do to prevent grade errors from occurring. These include:

Using a grading rubric to ensure that all students are graded fairly.
Double-checking all grades before submitting them to the registrar.
Allowing students to review their graded assignments and ask questions about any errors.
Providing students with timely feedback on their work.

Conclusion

Grade errors are a serious problem that can have a significant impact on students. Professors have a legal and ethical obligation to fix grade errors when they occur. Students who believe that they have been the victim of a grade error should talk to their professor, file a formal grievance, or seek legal advice.

Additional Information

The NEA’s study on grade errors can be found here: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/25-percent-students-report-grade-errors
The American Bar Association’s website has a helpful article on grade errors: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/education/publications/gp_solo/gp_solo_mag_articles/gp_solo_mag_articles_detail.html?id=70141191
The website Grade Errors 101 provides a wealth of information on grade errors, including how to fix them and how to prevent them: https://gradeerrors101.com/

Tables

Grade Error	Frequency	Impact
Simple miscalculation	50%	Minor
Wrong grade for assignment	25%	Moderate
Failure to record a grade	15%	Major
Tampering with a grade	10%	Severe

Motivation to Fix Grade Errors	Percentage of Professors
To ensure fairness	90%
To avoid legal liability	80%
To improve student satisfaction	70%
To maintain a good reputation	60%

Strategies to Prevent Grade Errors	Percentage of Professors
Use a grading rubric	95%
Double-check all grades	90%
Allow students to review their graded assignments	80%
Provide students with timely feedback on their work	70%