Author, teacher, and education policy doctoral candidate, Sarah Morris, explores the research around teachers’ grading decisions. Many teachers have received little if any professional development that produces reflection on the impact of their grading practices. The inequity of some grading practices cannot be decreased without teachers’ realization of the impact of their practices and exploration […]

Many teachers get frustrated with students’ questions such as, “Does this count in my grade?” or “What can I do for extra credit?” Middle school math teacher, Crystal Frommert, shares strategies that teachers can implement to encourage students to focus on learning rather than “getting a grade.” Crystal’s goal: making grades more accurate, collaborative, and […]

Questions around the role and value of grading have been debated among teachers, administrators, parents and students for many years. In this podcast, Steve explores some of these questions and provides resources for further exploration. How much teacher effort is invested in grading student work, tests, and projects? To what extent does grading positively or […]

Having a conversation with your child about a report card with lower than expected grades is never easy.  Currently, more parents than ever are in this position with the impact of the COVID quarantine and virtual learning. Planning for these conversations can lead to the development of important life skills and mindsets as well as […]

SCD Education Update posted an article, Are Grades Reliable? Lessons from a Century of Research, by Susan M. Brookhart and Thomas R. Guskey. I have always valued both authors’ insights regarding assessment, grades, and feedback. “But no amount of reform in grading policies or report card formats will improve grading if the grades reported are […]

I had the opportunity while presenting at the Texas ASCD Conference in Austin to attend a session presented by Tom Guskey-Toward More Effective Grading Policies and Practices. (See link for his book.) I’ve always enjoyed listening to and reading Tom’s work as it engages my thinking. I was particularly interested in this topic as I […]