Assess without grading, an inspiration for cegeps? Systematic review of the literature on assessment practices that reduce or eliminate grading.

Abstract

This article explores assessment practices that reduce or eliminate grading (PRÉN) in the Quebec college context, and their impact on students' mental health and motivation. These practices, in opposition to the use of grading, aim to support learning without the need for grades, which are often perceived as a source of stress and unfairness. PRÉNs encourages qualitative feedback rather than the simple assignment of grades. To describe PRÉNs and explore their impact, a systematic review of the literature is presented in this article. The result is 16 papers looking at practices that fit within the terminology of PRÉN. Some of the papers reviewed concluded that these practices would have a positive impact on students' intrinsic and autonomous motivation. However, the results concerning mental health are more nuanced, with some people experiencing stress linked to the absence of traditional reference marks such as grades. The study concludes that further research is needed to better understand the impact of these practices in the Quebec context, and their potential for the success and perseverance of college students.