In a lot of classrooms, raising your hand can help raise your grade. In many schools, students are graded on how often they participate in class.
Some teachers say class participation shows them how well students understand what’s being taught. Plus, they point out that answering questions in class can help kids develop stronger conversation skills.
However, not everyone thinks it’s fair to grade class participation. Some people argue that kids might speak up just to get a better grade, not because they have something meaningful to say. Others point out that quieter students might actually be more focused than their more talkative classmates.