Some schools discourage the use of red ink for grading due to concerns about its negative connotations and potential impact on student stress levels and self-esteem. Purple, green, or hot pink are suggested alternatives. However, some argue that stress is a natural part of the academic experience and that the real issue is the disrespect of editing a student’s work.
In some school districts, teachers are asked to refrain from grading in red ink due to fears that the color might be perceived as negative, intense, or stressful. Many campaigns to eliminate red ink from exams and papers have been parent-led, reacting to concerns raised by the publication of papers exploring human reactions to colors such as red. Others have been started by administrators who want their schools to be as child-friendly as possible.
Grading in red ink is an ancient and centuries-old tradition. Since at least the 1700s, the color red has been used to mark corrections on academic papers, mainly because it stands out so well from the classic black or blue inks used for writing. Comments and editorial markings in red also look great against a wide variety of backgrounds, meaning they’ll be easy to see and deal with.
However, some people feel that the red ink rating carries a great deal of negativity. First, it’s perceived as stressful, often for the very reason that makes red ink such a great marking color: because the ink seems to scream. Red is also a very emotional color in many cultures and has been shown in some studies to increase levels of stress, tension or emotional intensity. When teachers are asked not to use red ink, these studies are often cited, with administrators and parents alike suggesting that high levels of stress can hinder learning.
Red ink also appears to increase self-awareness and some people believe it may contribute to low self-esteem, especially in the case of students struggling in school. Because red ink is so bold and distinctive, when a student receives a paper covered in red ink, their classmates can easily see it, and this can trigger derisive or taunting comments that could make the student feel bad, thus increasing the anxiety about learning performance.
Instead of grading in red ink, some teachers choose purple, which is seen as a more positive, neutral color. Some teachers also turn to green or hot pink, relying on these colors to stand out from the paper without looking so aggressive.
Some teachers and administrators believe that the red ink assessment controversy is a bit overblown, arguing that red ink is best suited for marking corrections and comments, and suggesting that stress has always been part of the academic experience. At the same time, there are educators who completely question the teacher’s practice of completely editing a student’s work. These folks argue that it’s not so much the red ink as the disrespect of scribbling over a student’s hard work that is problematic.
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