Teachers' discretionary powers regarding student assessment - A contribution to research on professions and organizations

In contrast to traditional research on grades and selection, the author ana lyzes the practice of student assessment as that of a profession working in specific organizations. He examines in how far discretionary powers regard ing student assessment are open to teachers, to what degree grades play a r ole in the professional communication among colleagues, and how teachers co mpensate the deficit in the scientific rationalization of their assessment and certification practice in case they are obliged to justify their decisi ons. The analysis is based on selected data collected within the framework of a research project sponsored by the DFG (German Research Foundation) on "Selection Decisions As Problem Area of Teachers' Professional Activity". T he results are discussed against the background of recent research on the t eaching profession and on schools within the field of the sociology of orga nizations.