The key principle in fair grading is to base the grade on a combination of effort and participation. This approach acknowledges the importance of both the learning process and the outcomes, promoting a balanced evaluation of students' contributions and understanding.
However, it’s important to note that while effort and participation can be part of the grading criteria, they should complement performance on assessments rather than overshadow it. Fair grading should ultimately reflect students' understanding and mastery of the material.
The other options listed do not adhere to principles of fairness in grading:
- Ensuring all students receive the same grade undermines individual effort and achievement.
- Giving higher grades for participation without regard to actual performance can reward quantity over quality of learning.
- Providing extra credit only to struggling students can lead to inequities among students who may also need additional support.
Thus, the correct answer to promote fair grading is the second option, but it should be implemented thoughtfully in conjunction with overall performance assessments.