A student's grades are what administrators use to determine a student's class standing and to decide whether or not he is ready to move on to the next grade level. A student's standing within her class is generally determined by her grade point average, or GPA, which calculates the total value of the grades received in all his classes. When a student enters a new school, his GPA and the courses he has completed are used to determine which grade and skill level is appropriate for him. In terms of administrative purposes, grades are used not only to determine the student's current standing but also to determine whether or not she will be able to move on to the next level of education, whether it be middle school, high school or college. Most high schools have a GPA requirement to qualify for graduation. For example, if a student receives a failing grade in multiple classes and his GPA drops below a 1.5, he may be asked to repeat a grade until his GPA meets expectations.
A student's work is evaluated using a rubric created by the teacher and a grade is assigned accordingly. Each grade that a student receives reflects his understanding of the material and his ability to utilize it. The combination of all of the student's grades in a certain area of study can be used to determine the student's skill level and his progress throughout the course of the school year. Consistent or improving grades are a sign that the student is doing well and that the material he is being taught is appropriate for his skill level. If a student's grades steadily or suddenly drop, or are consistently below average, it may be a sign that the level of the material being taught is above the student's skill level. Grades give students feedback about their educational standing and alert them to areas in which they may need extra help.
Just as grades provide feedback for the student so he knows how well he is doing in school, grades also serve this purpose for teachers and parents. Report cards and individual grades help teachers and parents to determine how well a student is absorbing and understanding the material. Grades don't only provide teachers with guidance regarding the performance of their students; they also let teachers know how well they are presenting the material and whether their teaching methods are effective.
One of the main purposes of grades is to motivate students. For example, if a student consistently receives poor grades in a certain subject while his classmates score well on the material, the student may realize that he is falling behind and needs to make more effort to progress. On the other hand, students who receive good grades are likely to strive for repeated success. For some students, performing well in school is its own reward and getting good grades is a reflection of their success in this area. Poor grades can also be a motivator for students in other ways --- as an indication of their shortcomings, poor grades motivate students to either try harder or to seek additional help.