Aim for correct spelling of words
Count off for misspelled course terms

Writing uses words, so you should demand correct spelling of words in students’ writing, right?

So what do you do about students' misspelling?

• Count off for every wrong spelling?

• Take off only for misspelled course terminology or vocabulary list words?

• Ignore spelling entirely?

There are actually two different assessment issues. One is course vocabulary, which I'll discuss here.

The other spelling issue is general vocabulary. I will discuss that under writing mechanics, where it properly belongs.

Spelling of course terminology

You can legitimately count off for deviation from correct spelling of words specific to your course. If you are teaching writing within the context of an English language arts course, you can require students to be able to spell the vocabulary used to discuss literature and the English language. That’s part of the ELA course content.

The ELA student who spells grammar grammer or discusses the short story genra should be penalized for misspelling a key term in the discipline of English.

Put a line item in the assignment content section of your grading rubric for correct spelling of words specific to your course. Deduct points there up to some pre-set percentage of the total points possible for misspelling course vocabulary.

To be fair to students — and avoid undue complaints — tell students they must spell course vocabulary correctly.

I recommend you prepare a list of vocabulary words students must be able to spell. Make sure students have a copy and that additional copies are in places where students can find them easily when they lose the one you gave them.

Vocabulary study words

Some teachers require students to memorize word lists and definitions in preparation for the SATs and other standardized tests. If you are one of them, then those vocabulary lists are part of your course content.

Usually the words on published vocabulary lists are not words students use in their writing. However, if students do use misspell words from their vocabulary study in authentic writing situations, you should dock the course content part of their grades.

In the last analysis, spelling words in their own writing correctly is the only valid indicator that students have learned the correct spelling of words in their course vocabulary.

That means if you want to be sure students can spell course vocabulary correctly, you need have some writing prompts on topics that force students to use those words in their writing.

The other half of assessing whether students have mastered correct spelling of words is everyday spelling words. If they habitually misspell words like whether and their in their own writing, students are not competent writers, no matter what their bubble test scores say.