An Exploratory Study of the Use of Grade Contracts in Undergraduate Family Science Courses

Contract grading can provide an alternative to traditional grading systems. The goal of this exploratory study was to determine students’ reactions to grade contracts as well as their perceived usefulness in undergraduate courses. Contract grading is becoming more popular in higher education. Using a sample of 41 students across three undergraduate courses, data were collected on students’ perceptions of grade contracts and their utility, the degree to which students believed that grade contracts may have improved their sense of efficacy and control over their learning, and the ease with which students understood grade contracts compared to traditional grading. Students responded positively to the use of grade contracts and liked the sense of control that grade contracts provided but had difficulty understanding the more technical aspects of the contracts. Implications for instructors as well as future research are discussed.