The Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (HTM) is considering significant changes to the grading system in schools, proposing the abandonment of the traditional five-point scale in favor of a unified verbal assessment method starting in 2035. The ministry aims to implement a more varied scale, which they believe will provide a more nuanced evaluation of students’ performance. Currently, there is a high degree of autonomy in how schools in Estonia choose to grade, leading to a mix of grading systems, including numeric, letter, and percentage systems across different schools.

While certain schools, such as those in Tartu, have been effectively using verbal assessments for grades 1-3 for nearly a decade, others still rely on traditional grading without verbal feedback. The proposed policy would standardize assessment methods so that all primary school students receive verbal feedback, eliminating numerical grades in earlier years. This change reflects ongoing research indicating that grades can distract students from the qualitative feedback given, ultimately hindering their educational growth.

The HTM's initiative highlights the ongoing debate around educational assessment methods in Estonia, pointing towards a shift in focus from traditional grading to enhancing student understanding through verbal feedback. As schools prepare for this potential shift, it will be essential to consider how to implement such changes effectively, ensuring that the new system meets the diverse needs of students across the country. The move aims to foster an environment where assessment encourages engagement and learning, rather than competition for grades.