Computerized Grading System

Chapters 1-3
Introduction
People nowadays are living in an information age dependent upon digital information . Digital information is
electronic information, the result of computer processing. Each type of job relies upon getting information, using
it, managing it, and relaying information to others. Computer enable the efficient processing and storage of
information.

A grading system plays a key role in the management system of any school. But, such systems do not often relate
expectations, outcomes and performance. As each student desires to achieve a good score for each assignment,
exam, project and/or report, the whole process adds a heavy work load for teachers in order to make their
evaluation fair, comprehensive, and accurate. From the faculty perspective, these are necessary to avoid
disagreement from students and parents. A computerized grading system is a highly desirable addition to the
educational tool-kit, particularly when it can provide less effort and a more effective and timely outcome.

Grading system are designed to provide incentives for achievement and assist in identifying problem area of a
student. It is the most commonly used means of analyzing student performance, talents, and skills. Students
grades are vital information needed in advancing to the next grade/year level and its accuracy is very important.

Many teachers feel that the time they take in recording and computing for the grades of their students is time that
could be better spend elsewhere, like preparing lessons, researching or meeting with their students. With the
advent of computer technology, more and more schools, are taking advantage of a variety of grading system
available both off-line and online that can help save time on administrative tasks and give teachers more time to
attend to other important functions. However, a greater majority, especially small schools, government schools,
and schools in remote areas, still utilize the manual method of recording and computing for the grades of the
students.

The proponents of this study wish to reduce the workload of teachers by eliminating the need for manual
computation and recording of each grade. The common problems encountered in manual recording and
computation are error-and-file-handling, and redundancy. As the work load gradually increases with growing
amounts of grades and student lists that need to be attended, it becomes tedious on the part of the teacher to
proficiently manage them in time for documentation and file submission to higher education authorities. As such,
this paper aims to produce a workable computerized grading system will address this issues.
1.1 Background of the Study
Metropolitan Academy School is a small private school in Santa Ana Manila. It was established four
years ago and is utilizing the manual system in almost all phases of their school work.

The school maintains a small staff of teachers and personnel as compared to its growing population.
There are teachers handling as much as four different subjects, aside from being a class adviser and
area coordinator. Majority of the teachers handle three different grade levels.

Metropolitan Academy School uses the manual way of computing grades and adding information or
records of both students and professors. The process entails a lot of effort and by computing and
storing of data manually the process is prone to error especially for the professors who handle two or
more classes. By using the manual way of computing and storing data, being prone to error is
possible and just by a single mistake, repeating the process may be required.

Developing a computerized grading system for Metropolitan Academy School would make the task
of recording and computing grades easier for the teachers. This will not only benefit the teachers of
the school but will also benefit the students because of the improvement in the accuracy of
calculations and in the proficiency and productivity of the teachers.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.2.1 General Problem

The manual method employed by the teachers of Metropolitan Academy School in recording and
computing for the grades of their students results in frequent errors and delay in the submission of
reports, not to mention the added work load for teachers.

1.2.2 Specific Problem

The manual method of recording and grade computation is time consuming, prone to human error.
The delay in meeting deadlines for submission of grading sheets and reports.

1.3 Statement of Problem

1.3.1 General Objectives

To develop a computerized grading system for Metropolitan Academy School that would make the
recording and computation of grades easier for teachers, improve the accuracy and timely submission
of reports, and provide a means of determining the academic progress of each student.


1.3.2 Specific Objectives
To lessen the job of the faculty in terms of manual computing and adding records. To facility the job
of teachers and administration. To provide correct and timely information.

1.3.1Significance of the Study

The computers provide convenience to its user through the easier and faster way of recording
information. Population of students in almost all- educational institution is rapidly increasing so great
demand in teaching force is also becoming higher.

Grading System is very important aspect of a schools operation and goals. The students are graded to
measure their performance and knowledge in every grading period. Teachers spend massive time to
accurately compute the grades of the students using their calculators, and, in earlier times, teachers
manually solve grades using paper and pen.

The basic objective of a grading system is to communicate to parents a periodic evaluation
summarizing significant factors of the students adjustment in the total education program. The
cumulative purpose of the grading system is to supply the parent a composite statement of
educational process in a specified period of time for the student in selected areas of learning.

A computerized grading system for Metropolitan Academy School will provide a marked
improvement in the way teachers record and compute for the grades of students. The study will be a
great help for the following:

Faculty Teachers. Teachers would be able to record and compute for the grades of their students faster
thereby lessening their workload and providing them with added time to attend to other functions. This in
turn would improve their efficiency as teachers.

School Administrators. School Administrators need not compute for the grades of each student to check on
their accuracy. Reports such as grading sheets and class records can be submitted on time.

Students. Students can now look forward to better lessons since their teachers would have added time to
prepare for them.

Parents. Parents can now rely on the accuracy of the ratings of their children. The computerized grading
system makes it possible for parents to have an accurate assessment of their childrens intellectual, social and
emotional development, achievement, and performance.

Ministry Catholic School. The computerized grading system is a step towards tapping the advantages of
technology to benefit the whole school.

1.3.2 Scope and Limitation

This study is for the use of Metropolitan Academy School and as such, it focuses on its existing grading
system. The proposed Computerized Grading System will cover the recording and computation of grades of
students based on their ratings for quizzes, recitation, assignments, projects, unit tests, and periodical exams.
This will not include grade transmutation or use of transmutation tables. The rating entered are all in
percentage formats.

The printing of reports will only include the generation of grades per subject per section and does not include
the printing of individual grades or report cards.

For security purposes, a one-level password is included. The computerized grading system proposed in this
study is limited to single installation, stand-alone program, to be used individually by the teachers of
Metropolitan Academy School.
2.0 Methodology of Study
The descriptive method of research was used for this study, The main concern of the teachers was to
understand how students grades are computed, determining its components and distribution, and have
a clear picture of the activities undertaken by teachers in computing for the grades of students.

3.0 Data Gathering Procedures and Output

To provide and gather as much informative and relevant data for this study, interviews with school
administrators and faculty members were conducted. A questionnaire was used as the main data-
gathering instrument for this study. It was divided into two main sections: the profile and the
questionnaire proper consisted of questions that focused mainly on the components of the students
grade and how grades are computed.

The researchers prepared a letter addressed to the principal of Metropolitan Academy School asking
for permission to use the school as recipient of our Computerized Grading System and, consequently,
to conduct interviews and administer questionnaires as part of our data gathering activities.

An interview was conducted with the Principal of Metropolitan Academy School to know the
background of the school, its existing and present problems regarding the grading system of the
school. The faculty members had given the researcher appropriate information about their grading
system process.