These days, teachers work behavior into the gradebooks. Why? We can't spank kids. Other admonitions seem ineffective. O'Conner tells us that student behaviors such as participation and adherence to class rules should be dealt with separately from achievement. Even cheating on exams and plagiarism should not be disciplined with grades.

     Achievement and only achievement must be reflected on grades, he asserts.  Furthermore, late work shouldn't be penalized, bonus points avoided. Only higher achievement levels get higher points.

    I'm part of a committee that is scrutinizing grading practices in order to raise that holy grail of academia, student achievement. We dream about it, rant about it, unearth every possible tool, prod students, implore parents, exhort colleagues. It appears that grading systems constitute an intrinsic ingredient.

    For all the whys and wherefores, you'll have to read the book. I've only skimmed, and I'm half-convinced already.