Pass/Fail Assessment
On July 1, 2009 the UBC Okanagan Faculty of Education instituted a Pass/Fail assessment in all courses and seminars in the following programs:
- Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP)
- Elementary Teacher Education Program (ETEP)
- All other undergraduate Education courses including those in the Summer and Professional Institutes (400 level and lower)
- All post-baccalaureate certificate/diploma courses (400 level and lower)
Pass/Fail assessment will NOT apply to any UBC Okanagan Education graduate courses (500 level or higher).
The UBC Okanagan Faculty of Education will use marking schemes and rubrics with a minimum pass equivalency set at a B+ (76%) in UBC’s standard marking system. Most students are admitted to the Faculty with grades that are at this level or exceed this level. We feel that achieving a minimum equivalency of B+ is expected if one is to move into the profession as a well-informed, knowledgeable and capable educator.
Pass/Fail grading is common in professional programs. In addition to it being used in Education programs (including UBC Vancouver), many faculties of Law, Medicine and Dentistry have also implemented Pass/Fail assessment as an alternative to letter grading systems.
Overall we see Pass/Fail grading as changing the focus in our courses. Instead of students concentrating primarily on getting high marks on tests and assignments, more effort can be made, and more time can be spent, learning how to become excellent teachers. This is not to say that outstanding achievement on tests and assignments is not valued, but this type of achievement is not the goal in itself. The goal of teacher education is to become a well-informed, knowledgeable and capable professional. With this in mind, as we move to a Pass/Fail system, we hope to see our students engaged in learning that is meaningful and durable, not focusing upon competition with each other but focusing, instead, on developing and constructing collegial and cooperative learning environments that will serve as models for their future teaching careers.
Note: Students in ETEP and STEP must achieve a Pass grade in each course and/or in each seminar of a module. Students failing to achieve a grade of Pass will not be permitted to commence a practicum or the Guided Reflective Inquiry Project (GRIP). Students must achieve a Pass grade in all components of ETEP and STEP to be recommended for graduation. Students who successfully complete ETEP or STEP may request a letter summarizing the Pass/Fail grading practice from the Dean's office, that they may attach to a future application to a graduate studies degree program.
Last reviewed 
11/30/2011 2:57:58 PM
