Hi Joseph, Yes, students should earn grades. This sort of relates to the grading system used and how points are awarded for each componet (quiz, homework, project, mid-term, final exam, discussion, etc). I believe these should all be established at the beginning of a course. Good students will strive to earn all the legitimate points they can. I've had students argue I was was unfair giving points beyond what was established in the beginning. For me, I just avoid the EC thing all together, and let the students earn their points and let they grades fall where they may. Barry Westling