Making Grades Fair, Accurate, Meaningful, and Equitable: Lessons from Failed Grading Reform Efforts

Most schools today are reforming their grading policies and practices. Unfortunately, many find they are met with unanticipated resistance and fail miserably in their efforts. This session describes why these schools fail and what can be done to guarantee greater likelihood of success. Procedures for implementing new reporting structures are highlighted, including standards-based and competency-based grading, together with policies and practices that should be avoided due to their negative consequences for students, teachers, parents, and schools.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn about the advantages and shortcomings of different grading methods and the implications of those methods for classroom policy and practice.
• Participants will explore strategies for ensuring the grades they assign are fair, accurate, meaningful, and educationally sound.
• Participants will discuss guidelines for implementing effective standards-based grading policies and practices at all grade levels.

Target Audience

K-12 teachers and school leaders