Go out and harm normally: in Russia they want to introduce grades for behavior
An assessment for behavior in schools may appear from September 1, 2025 in several regions, said Sergey Kravtsov, head of the Ministry of Education. Principals and teachers of secondary schools believe that it will become an important and necessary signal for parents. Experts believe that grades for behavior will not lead to additional fear and stress for students, but there should probably be a mechanism that will help correct a bad result — then students will be motivated to behave better. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.
What will the behavior assessment system look like?
Grades for behavior in Russian schools may appear from the beginning of the new academic year in several pilot regions at once. This was stated by the head of the Ministry of Education, Sergei Kravtsov, at an expanded meeting in the State Duma. The State Duma supports the innovation. Izvestia was told in the lower house of the Russian parliament that the Ministry of Education is currently developing criteria for the formation of a system of assessments for behavior.
Natalia Zolotareva, Adviser to the Minister of Education of Russia, Deputy chairman of the Committee of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation on Education and Upbringing, told Izvestia that it is important to develop awareness and self-control in secondary schools.
— It can be a point-based assessment system (using criteria), coupled with self-assessment and subsequent analysis with a teacher. It is important to clearly explain the assessment criteria and give the student the opportunity to improve their results," she said.
Modern pedagogy has accumulated a serious baggage of motivational assessment techniques for different age groups, including elementary school, Zolotareva believes.
— Instead of points, the teacher's written comments can be entered (he helped a classmate, took the initiative, followed the rules). A system of "stars" or "stickers" for specific behavioral achievements can be a good addition," the interlocutor pointed out.
In high school, according to Zolotareva, the focus should shift to the formation of a mature personality capable of responsible choice and active citizenship. Behavior assessment can include participation in socially significant projects, volunteer activities, school self-management, and, of course, the student's contribution to creating a positive atmosphere in the classroom and school. At the same time, she believes that the assessment of behavior should be taken into account in the characteristics of the student.
Why do we need clarity and transparency of evaluation criteria?
Many experts from the Popular Front agree on the need to introduce assessments for behavior in schools. Analytics". At the request of Izvestia, they conducted an express interview. The interviewees were principals and teachers of secondary schools, as well as parents of students.
School principals believe that developers of regulations related to the implementation of this innovation should take into account that if the criteria for such assessment are not clear and transparent, and if the assessment system is not perceived as fair, assessment for behavior can cause conflicts between students and teachers, as well as between parents and the school..
In the "Popular Front. Analytics" said that the very idea of assessing student behavior was supported by all the respondents surveyed. At the same time, they pointed out that the assessment for behavior should be educational, not intimidating. In addition, the respondents noted the need to create a comprehensive education system aimed at developing students' skills of self-control and responsible behavior.
Assessment for behavior is a timely initiative to control and prevent deviant behaviors and child bullying, which will help deter those who are prone to violating school discipline, says Elena Pripova, director of the Institute for Child Development, Health and Adaptation.
Score for fighting or bullying at recess
At the same time, experts from the Scientific and Educational Center for Pedagogical Projects point out that "twos" for talking in class, fighting or bullying at recess are not equivalent to each other. According to the center's experts, in elementary school, the use of grades for behavior will be quite effective, but with age, the perception of "twos" becomes more indifferent and is unlikely to have a significant effect on curbing bad behavior.
"Grades for behavior are unlikely to have a direct impact on motivation to behave better, but they will have a certain deterrent factor that allows students to limit excessive displays of negative emotions," the Center for Pedagogical Projects believes. — Grades for behavior will not lead to additional fear and stress for students, but there probably needs to be a mechanism for correcting grades that can motivate students to behave better.
Anastasia Predrazhenko, a lecturer at the Russian society Znanie, a psychologist, believes that assessment can be an additional motivation tool, but not the basis for interaction with a student. It is important that the criteria for evaluating behavior are crystal clear and fulfilled by all sides of the educational process, she notes. Otherwise, this tool can only become a stress factor that worsens the atmosphere and academic performance in the classroom, the expert emphasizes.
In her opinion, the assessment for behavior should not be included in the certificate, as it does not reflect the student's level of knowledge. However, it can be used as an additional tool for motivation and education, concluded Predatenko.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
