Should Creativity Be Graded in Schools?

Everyone is always good at something but worse at another. For example, you may receive an A+ on your math test in calculus but a C when you are writing a story. But what went wrong wasn’t just grammatical errors or spelling mistakes, it was that someone else had decided your creativity was lacking. In the 21st century, we are evaluated on our knowledge and skills in subjects such as math, history, and science. However, creativity is equally important, yet it seems to constantly be either over-assessed or undervalued. This starts to raise a major question: should creativity be formally graded like other skills, or is it too subjective? While some people argue that creativity cannot be formally assessed, evidence from education, psychology, and the workplace shows that grading students on creativity can foster innovation, motivate them, and set them up for success.

What Is Creativity and Why Does It Matter?

Creativity is often thought of as a talent, but it is really the ability to produce original, innovative ideas, methods, or products that are also useful or valuable. This is not something you’re just “born with.” It’s a skill that can be trained, taught, nurtured, and yes, even assessed.

A World Economic Forum report from 2019 listed creativity among the top three future job skills. That means if you want to succeed in the future workforce, being creative matters just as much as knowing math or science. Creativity is not just about art or music, it’s about solving problems, building new ideas, and finding original solutions. The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) have been used for decades to reliably assess creativity by measuring fluency, originality, and elaboration of ideas. If critical thinking skills and writing can be graded with rubrics, then creativity should be treated the same way. Teachers can evaluate creativity through problem-solving abilities, idea generation around real-world topics, and originality. This proves that creativity is measurable and has real-world value.

How Grading Creativity Motivates Students

When teachers grade creativity, it motivates students to think outside the box and push themselves toward originality and persistence. Instead of only rewarding memorization, students get recognition for their ideas.

Harvard’s Project Zero emphasizes “visible thinking” and creativity as key to deeper learning. When creativity is encouraged, students become more mindful in their work and explore topics in new ways. Teresa Amabile, a professor from Harvard Business School, introduced the componential theory of creativity, which shows how motivation, expertise, and creative-thinking skills can all be observed and fostered. For example, schools that use project-based learning assess creativity through portfolios, reflective essays, and problem-solving activities. These projects often ask students to research real-world issues and develop solutions. That requires critical thinking, resilience, and creativity.

Recognizing creativity through grading doesn’t just reward talent, it encourages curiosity and innovation. These are skills that students carry into adulthood, helping them become not only better learners but also more adaptable people in the real world.

Creativity and the Future Workforce

The modern workforce demands employees who can demonstrate creativity, not just follow instructions. In fact, IBM’s 2010 Global CEO Study found that creativity was rated the single most important leadership quality for future success.

When creativity is recognized as a core skill in careers, it makes sense to emphasize it early in schools. A 2016 survey by Adobe Education showed that 82% of college-educated professionals wished they had received more creativity training in school. That regret proves schools are not doing enough to prepare students for the demands of the future.

By grading creativity, schools would not only motivate students now but also prepare them for long-term success. From tech startups to healthcare to education, creative problem-solving is essential. Starting early allows schools to slowly train students over time, giving them the confidence to be innovators rather than just rule-followers. Even trusted global studies make this clear: creativity is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.

Counterargument: Too Subjective to Grade?

Critics argue that creativity is too subjective and personal to be graded fairly. They point out that everyone thinks differently and in unique ways, so judging creativity could feel unfair. A 2020 Brookings Institution report highlighted risks of bias when teachers grade “originality,” since standards vary across schools.

And that is true, grading creativity is tricky. But it’s not impossible. A slight shift in the grading system can solve this issue. Rubrics can minimize subjectivity by focusing on the creative process, such as idea fluency or problem-solving approaches, rather than deciding whether an idea is “good” or “bad.”

Evidence from the Torrance Tests and Harvard’s Project Zero shows that creativity can be assessed consistently across cultures and classrooms. With the right training and clear guidelines, teachers can fairly evaluate creativity, just like they evaluate writing or class participation.

So while critics are right to worry about bias, the solution is not to ignore creativity; it’s to improve how we measure it. Creativity isn’t any more subjective than grading essays or group discussions. It just requires clear rubrics and teacher training.

Final Thoughts: Why Creativity Deserves a Place on the Report Card

Creativity should be graded because it is measurable, fosters motivation, and equips students for the future. It’s not some “mystery talent” reserved for a few; it’s a skill that can be taught, nurtured, and recognized. Having teachers grade students’ creative ability pushes them to do their best, take risks, and think outside the box. That benefits students when they pursue careers, tackle real-world problems, or even just learn to adapt to change. Right now, schools are failing to recognize creativity as an essential part of learning. This leaves students unprepared when moving into higher education and future jobs. To fix this, educators and policymakers should embed creativity as a core part of grading, just like writing, math, or science.

Because today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. Their ability to imagine, innovate, and create solutions is what will shape the future. In a century that is full of change, grading creativity is not about ranking imagination; it’s about giving students the tools to thrive.

Reference

Next Gen Learning: https://www.nextgenlearning.org/articles/rethinking-education-prioritizing-creativity-and-people-over-grades-and-rubrics

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