Is Class Participation Too Arbitrary to Grade Fairly?

There is much debate surrounding the fairness of assigning grades based on participation in class. Some argue that it is too arbitrary to assign grades solely on participation, while others argue that it is an important factor to consider when grading.
In general, it is agreed that participation in class is an important factor to consider when grading.
The main argument against grading solely on participation is that students do not always receive the same level of instruction based on how much they participate in class. For example, a student who is always participating will likely receive more detailed and in-depth instruction than a student who only participates occasionally. This can lead to students feeling like their level of learning is not equitable, which can discourage them from participating in class.
On the other hand, proponents of grading solely on participation argue that it is an important factor. They argue that students who participate frequently are more likely to understand the material and apply what they learned in the classroom. This can lead to better grades and greater learning.
Ultimately, it is up to the instructor to decide how they want to grade students based on their participation in class. It is important to consider the individual student and what participation levels correspond to the level of instruction that they receive.