The impact of spelling errors on marks

The University of Hull is urging its teaching staff to stop taking spelling errors, wrong punctuation or poor grammar into account when grading non-language courses. To account for its decision, the university refers to its diversity policy and commitment to inclusion and argues that the requirement to be able to write correctly discriminates against disadvantaged groups.  (BBC, 2021 & Turner, 2021)

This decision has caused turmoil in the UK, but also in Flanders, among both proponents and opponents. Some higher education institutions in the UK, such as the University of Worchester, said the decision of the University of Hull is inspirational for their own policy, on the other side concerns were raised by Universities Minister Michelle Donlan who referred to it as ‘dumbing down standards’. (BBC, 2021 & Turner, 2021)

The question of the extent to which language errors are decisive or play an important role in assessments, especially for non-language subjects, had already been raised in Flanders before this matter made the news. From this perspective, some Flemish institutions of higher education have already made the decision to make the accommodation 'not to penalize spelling mistakes in non-language subjects' inclusive as such making it applicable to exams of their complete student body.

The essence in this discussion is in what form and to what extent these and other measures can broaden access to higher education. The search for measures to foster a more inclusive design of higher education can be linked to the methodology of Universal Design. Universal Design takes diversity as its starting point and aims to eliminate unnecessary barriers in the learning process as much as possible to ensure inclusive education.

The heated discussions show that the call for a more accessible, inclusive design of higher education is still relevant and that institutions of higher education are searching for a well-founded, solid approach. The Support Centre for Inclusive Higher Education (SIHO) supports universities in implementing universal design. Through its learning network "universal design", SIHO explores and broadens understanding of this method with higher education institutions. In these discussions both accessible and qualitative education are considered fundamental requirements.

More information on Universal Design can be found on the SIHO webpage 'Guideline Universal Design' and the webinars on Inclusive Universities.

Sources

BBC NEWS (2021, 15 april). Student literacy: Minister 'appalled' by move on bad spelling. Retrieved April 26, 26 2021, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-humber-56761589

SIHO (2020-2021). Webinar series: Towards genuinely inclusive Universities.

Turner, C. (2021, 11 april). Marking down students for spelling mistakes is ‘elitist’, says university. The Telegraph. Retrieved April 26, 2021, from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/11/marking-students-spelling-m…

University Hull (2021, April 14) Why University of Hull students will not be marked down for bad spelling.