I often hear colleagues debating the merits of allowing students to retake assignments. Some argue it’s “unfair” to those who get it right the first time, or that it coddles students. My perspective is different: I believe that allowing retakes is a powerful tool that encourages growth, boosts self-efficacy, and, most importantly, keeps the focus where it should be—on learning, not just on grades.
For me, the goal of education isn’t to create a perfect record of A’s and B’s on a transcript. The goal is to ensure students learn the material. Sometimes, the initial learning curve is steep, and a student might not grasp a concept the first time it’s taught. That’s perfectly normal. Our job isn’t to punish that initial struggle with a low grade that forever impacts their record. Our job is to encourage them to try, and try again. Retakes are a way of saying, “It’s okay if you didn’t get it this time. Let’s work on it, and you’ll have another chance to show what you’ve learned.”
This approach encourages what’s known as a growth mindset. Instead of seeing a low grade as a final judgment on their intelligence, students learn that their effort matters. When a student who initially failed an assignment puts in the work, studies the material, and then passes a retake, they experience the direct result of their own perseverance. They learn that they can overcome challenges, and that hard work pays off. This is a far more valuable lesson than simply getting a good grade on a single attempt.
The conversation about retakes often overlooks the fact that not all students come from the same academic or emotional backgrounds. Some students have strong support systems at home and can easily bounce back from a poor grade. Others might be dealing with challenges that make it hard to focus, and a single low grade can feel like a devastating blow, causing them to quit on themselves entirely. The option to retake an assignment can be the very incentive some kids need to go from no effort to full effort. It gives them a reason to try again, knowing that their hard work can lead to a positive outcome.
My reasons for allowing students to retake assignments are simple and clear.
- Boosts Engagement & Encourage Learners to Try: It encourages students to try and try again, teaching them that persistence is key.
- Boosts Self-Efficacy: When students succeed after a second or third attempt, their confidence and belief in their own abilities improve; they learn that if the could do well one, they can do well again.
- Boosts Content Mastery: It shifts the emphasis from simply earning a grade to truly mastering the material.
Ultimately, teachers should not be administering assignments for the sake of earning grades, but for the sake of learning. A grade should reflect what a student knows and can do, and if it takes a few tries for them to demonstrate that knowledge, then so be it. The moment a student sees they can do well, even if it takes a few tries, their self-efficacy improves. That’s a win for both the student and the teacher. This is why I will always believe in giving students a second chance—because a retake isn’t just a do-over; it’s a second chance to learn.
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