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In this episode, Sharona and Bosley sit down for a conversation with Dr. Sean Michael Morris to talk about Critical Digital Pedagogy. What is it? How can we think critically about our grading practices? How do we think critically about AI and it's impact on our grading choices?LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!https://www.seanmichaelmorris.com/Critical Digital Pedagogy - What Is It?ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.Music
In this episode, Sharona and Boz interview Doug Wilson, principal of Avondale High School in Michigan, about his advice on implementing building-wide grading reform. This discussion touches on ways of being a visionary leader, how to move towards culture change around grades, and advice to administrators (and teachers!) on how to question our practices with an eye towards improving kids' learning. Join us for this fascinating conversation to move forward with grading reform.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Materials from Doug Wilson supporting Grading Reform (Google Folder Link)Building Thinking Classrooms, by Peter LiljedahlResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the...
We made it to episode 100! Join us as we welcome back to the pod, for the first time altogether, David Clark, Kate Owens, and Robert Talbert! With Sharona and Boz we made up the original organizing team for the 2020 Grading Conference. We talk about the journey getting to here, and where we see things going (and what we hope to see) in the next 10 years! ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.MusicCountry Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley sit down with Dr. Asao Inoue, the opening keynote speaker of the 2025 Grading Conference, to discuss his use of Labor-Based Grading in the teaching of writing. Exploring everything from negotiating a grading contract with students to intentionally discussing creating a culture of compassion in the classroom, this fascinating conversation is a great opportunity to think about our classrooms in new ways.LinksBooks from the WAC Clearinghouse are free to access in PDF and ePUB formats.Labor-Based Grading Contracts: Building Equity and Inclusion in the Compassionate Writing Classroom, 2nd Edition (from the WAC Clearinghouse)Cripping Labor-Based Grading for More Equity in Literacy Courses (from the WAC Clearinghouse)Above The Well: An Antiracist Argument From a Boy of Color (from the WAC Clearinghouse)Antiracist Writing Assessment Ecologies: Teaching and Assessing Writing for a Socially Just Future (from the WAC Clearinghouse)On Compassion and Brave Space, Asao InoueThe Greater Good WebsiteThe Science of CompassionResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
In this episode, many of the organizers of this year's conference join Sharona and Bosley to preview the upcoming conference and talk about some of the community aspects of The Grading Conference. We welcome Ashleigh Fox, Jenni Momsen, Emily Pitts Donahoe, and Melanie Lenahan.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!In preparation for the conference, please join the Alternative Grading SlackResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.MusicCountry Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley discuss different ways to look at the grade wrap up portion of the grading architecture as it relates to learning outcomes as well as assessments. They discuss the well known "more hurdles, higher hurdles" metaphor but expand it into three different types of hurdles instead of the two we have used previously. From different learning outcomes, to different proficiency scale levels, to different levels of difficulty of problems on assessment, there are many way to distinguish an "A" from a "B" from a "C". Also, a preview of some of the sessions at the upcoming Grading Conference!ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.MusicCountry Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives...
In this week's episode, Sharona and Bosley dive into some of the details, nuances, similarities and differences regarding the role of administrators in the implementation of alternative grading practices. We talk about what administrators can do to support alternative grading efforts, how to talk to administrators, and the similarities and differences in the roles of administrators in K-12 versus Higher Ed.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!How to talk with administrators about alternative grading, Grading for Growth BlogA School Leader's Guide to Standards-Based Grading, Tammy HeflebowerGrading From the Inside Out: Bringing Accuracy to Student Assessment Through a Standards-Based Mindset (How to Give Students Full Credit for Their Knowledge) Tom SchwimmerStandards-Based Grading: A School District's Pillar to Student Success: Matteson Elementary School District 162's commitment to student success by ... and high expectations for all students.Here's what alternative grading models could look likeResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications...
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley look at some of the challenges that elementary school face when considering standards based reporting and standards based grading. From issues with consistency between instructors to the differences between communicating with parents versus communicating with students. Join us in this discussion as we look at the importance of grading in elementary school.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!A Parents' Guide to Grading and Reporting: Being Clear about What Matters What is Normed Grading and Why is it Necessary?Grading With Integrity: A Research-Based Approach Grounded in Honesty, Transparency, Accuracy, and EquityExtinguishing the Fires Within Assessment and Grading ReformEpisode 43 - Alt Grading as a TeamResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment,
One of the challenges facing faculty, staff, and administrators is keeping up with the continuous flow of email. In this episode, Robert Talbert joins us to discuss strategies to efficiently handle email so we can allocate time to other essential tasks. Robert is a Professor of Mathematics at Grand Valley State University and the author of Flipped Learning: A Guide for Higher Education Faculty and a co-author of Grading for Growth: A Guide to Alternative Grading Practices that Promote Authentic Learning and Student Engagement in Higher Education. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.
Please enjoy this replay of episode 20 from November 2023.Coming to you from the California Mathematics Council - South annual conference, Sharona and Bosley sit down for a wonderful conversation with Dr. Sean Nank. Sean is an adjunct professor at California State University San Marcos, a full professor at the American College of Education, as well as a high school math teacher in the Oceanside Unified School District. Sean is also a recipient of the Persidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.In this incredible conversation, we talk with Sean about the human impact of assessments on our students and the important conversations that can be had once we really start to examine the impact of our grading systems. LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!seannank.com How to Grade for Learning: Linking Grades to Standards, Ken O'ConnorResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel
Sharona and Bosley sit down this week to talk with Jennifer Martinez-Montes about her work on professional development surrounding AI for instructors. Jennifer is a 9th grade English teacher at Santee Education Complex in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She is currently researching the impact of AI on teachers and the opportunities for effective use of AI in lesson planning, differentiation, and other areas of a teacher's responsibilities. In this conversation, we explore the need for instructors to understand AI, its opportunities and issues impacting our work as educators, as we try to determine the impact on students and grading.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Teachers Worry About Students Using A.I. But They Love It for ThemselvesCanva AI Image GeneratorOpen Art AIResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our...
In this episode, Sharona and Boz dive into what research around grading reform might look like. From the types of studies to the areas of interest and some options for focus. We look at what's been done, what's missing, and how the Center for Grading Reform is planning to launch a new initiative to build a national network of researchers focused on grading system.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!The Compentency Based Assessment Symposium, Smith Engineering, Queen's UniversityChicago Math SymposiumAnastasia: The Musical - Encore South Bay72 – Off the Mark – an Interview with author Dr. Jack SchneiderCollege BridgeNCTE - Disrupting the Alternative Grading Narrative: Recognizing the Contributions of Two-Year College Teacher-Scholars Grading With Integrity: A Research-Based Approach Grounded in Honesty, Transparency, Accuracy, and Equity, by Thomas GuskeyOn Your Mark: Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting (A book for K-12 assessment policies and practices) (Essentials for Principals)Instructional Feedback: The Power, the Promise, the Practice 1st Edition, by Dr. Thomas GuskeyGrading for Equity, 2nd Edition, by Joe FeldmanOff the Mark: How Grades, Ratings, and Rankings Undermine Learning (but Don't Have To), by Schneider and HuttSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsonPunished by Rewards: Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Edition: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes, by Alfie KohnLabor-Based Grading Contracts: Building Equity and Inclusion in the Compassionate Classroom (The Perspectives on Writing), by Asao InoueGrading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkStudent perceptions of Alternative Grading Strategies in the Biology Classroom, Jacob AdlerAlternative Grading Systems and Student Outcomes: A comparative analysis of motivation, enjoyment, engagement, stress, and perceptions of final grades, by Melanie...
This week we welcome Joe Zeccola back to the podcast. In this episode, Sharona, Boz and Joe look at how we give feedback, how students use it, and how we make both the giving of feedback and the student use of feedback easier, more useful, and more in line with our goals for our students. LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Instructional Feedback: The Power, the Promise, the Practice 1st Edition, by Dr. Thomas GuskeyGrading With Integrity: A Research-Based Approach Grounded in Honesty, Transparency, Accuracy, and Equity, by Dr. Thomas GuskeyResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.Music
In this week's episode, Sharona and Boz sit down with Caroline Cormier and Françoise Arseneault-Hubert to discuss the movement towards alt grading in Quebec. Beginning with a description of the CEGEP system (pronounced say-ghep) that serves as a bridge between K-11 education and university/technical tracks we then explore how Caroline and Françoise have built a multi-institutional, multi-discipline community of practice. With over 40 regular participants, this CoP meets regularly to share experiences with alt grading, give best practices, and supporting each other. Then we dive into some of the intricacies of final grades in the CEGEP system, including nerding out on EVEN MORE MATH that is overlaid onto the final grades at the CEGEPs. You won't want to miss this!LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Workshops and a community of practice in Quebec for knowledge transfer, from the Grading for Growth BlogJoin the Community of Practice (French speaking but others welcome)What is a CÈGEP?ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
This week Sharona and Boz share some ideas, tools and methods for making assessment writing easier including AI, CheckIt (programmable assessment generation) and intentional alignment of content and assessments. LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!CheckItChatGPTGemini (Google AI)ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.MusicCountry Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a
DescriptionIn this episode, Sharona and Bosley tackle the conversation about "Grade Inflation". A commonly used term that is rarely defined, we look at what the "problem" is with grade "inflation", how we would define grade "inflation" (as well as grade "deflation") and how to address it when it is leveled as a potential problem with alternative grading.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Why grade inflation is spreading from high school to college — and how it hurts learningAs They Revamp Grading, Districts Try to Improve Consistency, Prevent InflationWhy not get rid of grades? When the goal is an A, real learning gets lost. (Gift Article)Solving the Grade-Inflation ProblemProblems caused by grade inflationHow Grading Reform Changed Our SchoolResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications...
DescriptionIn this episode we welcome back to the pod Dr. Robert Talbert. A mathematics professor at Grand Valley State University, author of books on Flipped Learning and Grading for Growth, Robert joins us to discuss his struggles with the increasing use of AI tools in his alternatively graded classes and how he is revising his courses to adjust. We discuss the threats and opportunities AI poses for an alternatively graded class and consider some thoughts about the future of education in an age of AI.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!How AI is Changing My Grading Approach, by Talbert, R. on the Grading for Growth BlogHow AI Will Divide the Best from the Rest, The Economist (paywall - sorry)ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website,
DescriptionIn this episode, Sharona and Bosley look at some new(ish) literature about traditional grades in a more professional setting - Pharmacy Education. If the ultimate goal of many degree programs is to get a professional degree or license, what is being done with grading at that level and how might we leverage those choices earlier in the educational system. We explore in different ways the deficiencies with traditional grading as well as the beliefs instructors have that support the use of traditional grading.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Deficiencies of Traditional Grading Systems and Recommendations for the Future, by Cain, J., Medina, M., Romanelli, F., and Persky, A.When is a Number Not A Number?, by Talbert, R., from the Grading for Growth BlogLearning for Mastery, by Bloom, B. ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a...
In this week's episode we welcome Dr. Patrick Morriss back to the pod to discuss how instructor beliefs, about our students, our subject areas, ourselves, impact our classrooms and drive the educational outcomes of our students. LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support! https://checkit.clontz.org/ Episode 78 – Looking more at Proficiency Scales – Doing “Bee” Work: An Interview with Patrick MorrissThe Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, by Richard RothsteinRace for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership, by Keeanga-Yamahtta TaylorPoverty, by America, by Matthew DesmondRehumanizing Mathematics for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx Students, by Rochelle GutierrezArise: The Art of Transformational Coaching, by Elena AguilarVisible Learning: The Sequel: A Synthesis of Over 2,100 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement, by John HattieMathfest, by the MAAResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
DescriptionIn this episode, Sharona and Bosley talk with Dr. Corin Bowen, an Engineering Education researcher and assistant professor in the Civil Engineering department at California State University Los Angeles. We talk about student motivation and engagement, the opportunities that standards-based grading has provided Dr. Bowen's students, and what it was link to come in to a course that had already been redesigned to use standards-based grading as a new instructor. Join us as we talk grading structures, critical pedagogy, the power of undergraduate instructional student assistants and so much else.ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.MusicCountry Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a
Join us as we explore small ways to open a conversation about grading with other people, without them necessarily realizing that its a conversation about grading. In this episode, Sharona and Bosley talk about 7 ways you can crack the door open on grading. Everything from using the four pillars to finding common ground and discussing why we teach. If we listen carefully, there are more ways than we realize to turn small moments of opportunity into larger conversations. LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Taking the Grading Conversation PublicWhen We Talk About Grading We Are Talking About PeopleUngrading, AI, and Feedback as Scholarly WorkThe End of Grades: An Afterward to Undoing the GradeSeven Opportunities to Open Up the Conversation About GradingPick a PillarTalk About PurposeFind Common PrinciplesDiscuss What Will NOT ChangeThink About SystemsTalk About PeopleAsk Why We TeachResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
We're finally seeing some results from all the work that this community has been putting in! In this episode, Sharona and Bosley dive in to newly published research about the impact of "second-chance quizzes" on students' perceptions of self-determination. We also dive in to the impact of retakes on student success in Precalculus.Additionally, registration, volunteer opportunities, and abstract submissions are all available for the 2025 Grading Conference!LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Undergraduate STEM Students'Perceptions of Grading Practices Revealthat Quiz Retakes Positively ImpactDrivers of Self-determination by Tripp, B. et alNot All Limits are the Same from the Grading for Growth BlogEpisode 41 - Second Chance Grading: How Small, Gentle Approach to Changing Grading Led to Research Into Alt GradingEpisode 9 - Reassessment Carnivals: An Interview with Kate OwensEpisode 70 - A Reassessments Deep Dive with Beck PepplerIntentional Academia by Robert TalbertGetting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley talk with Dr. Jenny Momsen, faculty member in the department of Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University and head of the Discipline-Based Education Research Ph.D. program. Jenny is one of the organizers of The Grading Conference and actively researches the impact of alternative grading on students ability to learn and integrate their knowledge about complex biological systems.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Alternative Grading Practices in Undergraduate STEM Education: A Scoping ReviewImproving performance and retention in introductory biology with a utility-value intervention, by Canning et alIncreased Course Structure Improves Performance in Introductory Biology by Freeman et alDeveloping Resilient, Equity-Conscious TeachersGiving Marks that Indicate Progress - from the Grading for Growth BlogResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley share some of the top line results of a direct comparison between traditional grading and alternative grading. In a tightly coordinated course with many instructors, sections and students, half of the sections used traditional grading and half used alternative grading. This is a fascinating dive into what does "traditional" grading mean, and how do those impacts show up in the classroom. Please note - at the time of this recording we are still dealing with the ongoing fires in Los Angeles. If you are interested in helping, there are links before specifically for disaster relief.LinksLinks this week are just for supporting the LA fire efforts. A few recommended charities include:World Central Kitchen - California Relief EffortsWildfire Relief through the Pasadena Humane SocietyLos Angeles Regional Food Back - Disaster Relief FundResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley have a wide-ranging conversation with Phil Stringer, Head of Mathematics at the Crofton House School in Vancouver, BC. From starting standards-based grading with AP Calculus BC to leading a schoolwide implementation of standards-based grading, Phil shares a variety of experiences and things he has learned through helping instructors switch to a standards-based grading model.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Crofton House SchoolPhil Stringer, LinkedInMake It Stick, by Peter Brown and Henry RoedigerPacific Institute of Mathematical SciencesResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website,
It has finally happened!! We have found an instructor who uses emoji's MORE than Sharona does!! Join us as we talk with Patrick Morriss, professor of Mathematics at Foothill College about his proficiency scales and grading system in Higher Ed Math. LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Patrick's Qualitative Grading SystemThe 5 Lemon Sheet - Daily CheckinResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.Music
Happy New Year! On the podcast this week we replay our episode (Episode 21) with Dr. Eden Tanner, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The University of Mississippi. Listen to hear about using alternative grading in the context of a 170 person general chemistry course. Eden has a fascinating take on approaching alternative grading from a research mindset, and how that led her to adopt the principles of alternative grading.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!The Tanner LabThe University of Mississippi - Dr. Eden TannerResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
In this episode Sharona sits down with Dr. Josh Eyler, Director of Faculty Development at the University of Mississippi and author of the new book Failing our Future: How Grades Harm Students and What We Can Do About It. Join us as we talk about the book, about change efforts at the classroom, department, college and institutional levels, and what individual instructors can do to lead change efforts.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Failing Our Future: How Grades Harm Students, and What We Can Do about ItResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.MusicCountry Rock
Another deep conversation about alt grading in Physical Education, including the details! Join us as Sharona and Bosley talk about alt grading with Josh Ogilvie, a listener and a 22 year high school PE teacher in Canada. LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!PHE CanadaRebooting Assessment: A Practical Guide for Balancing Conversations, Performances, and Products (How to Establish Performance-Based, Balanced Assessment in the Classroom) by Damien CooperContact Josh Ogilvie:@joshogilvie4 on Twitter@joshogilvie.bsky.social on BlueskyJosh Ogilvie on LinkedInwww.jogilvie.com ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website,
Join us for one of the most fun origin stories we have had!!! On the pod this week we interview Annie and Ed Ransom, two K-12 educators who both use alt grading, while being married to each other! Hear how alt grading plays out in middle school and high school science and how it is both the same and different from high school Social Science.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Seventeen Reasons Why Football is Better than High School, by Herb ChildressEP&Cs: Just One More Thing I Was Wrong About, by Annie RansomCollege, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State StandardsTeacher Spotlight: Annie RansomAnnie Ransom, LinkedIn ProfileResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com...
Join Sharona and Bosley as we talk to Dr. Jack Schneider, one of the co-authors of the book "Off the Mark: How Grades, Ratings, and Rankings Undermine Learning (but Don't Have To)". In this engaging conversation, we explore the origins of the book, discuss the authors' purpose in writing it, and continue to explore the ways in which current grading practices hurt student learning and how important changes can be made to improve things.LinksOff the Mark: How Grades, Ratings, and Rankings Undermine Learning (but Don't Have To) by Dr. Jack Schneider and Dr. Ethan HuttHave You Heard Podcast?Massachusetts Consortium for Innovative Education AssessmentThe Education Wars: A Citizen's Guide and Defense Manual by Jennifer C. Berkshire and Jack Schneider OffTheMarkBook.comResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website,
In this episode, Becky Peppler from the STAGR center returns to do a deep dive on how she did reassessments in her high school chemistry class. Everything from how many, when, and what students need to do before doing the retakes is discuss in great detail. If you've been looking for the steps to handle effective retakes - enjoy this wonderful conversation! And make sure to check out the upcoming STAGR conference!LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!The STAGR ConferenceTeaching More by Grading Less or Differently, Jeff Schinske and Kimberly TannerResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School...
Let's discuss the role of homework (or other effort pieces of learning) in an Alternatively Graded course in more depth. In this episode, Sharona and Boz look at a recent research study about the inclusion or exclusion of a "homeworK' grade in the grading architecture of a high school geometry class and the impact it had on student completion of homework as well as their final grades. We distinguish between "product", "progress", and "process" grades and discuss their potential roles in different types of courses.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!What Is Standards-Based Grading, and How Does It Work? by Matthew StoneAssessing the impact of standards-based grading policy changes on student performance and practice work completion in secondary mathematics by Huey, Silvey, Vaughan and FisherEpisode 31 -The Role of “Effort” or “Work” in an Alternative Grading Architecture and the Relationship with Due Dates ResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
We've all heard them! The "criticisms" about alternative grading practices that don't seem quite "right" but are hard to debunk in the moment. This is the episode where Sharona and Bosley take on some common myths and misconceptions about alternative grading, as well as look at some of the history driving how the things behind the myths came to be a part of our grading systems.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!The 4 Common Myths about Grading Reform, Debunked by Matt Townsley and Sarah Morriss3 Common Myths About Standards-Based Grading by Kendell HunterOff the Mark: How Grades, Ratings, and Rankings Undermine Learning (but Don't Have To) by Jack Schneider and Ethan HuttArtificial Scarcity: Reflecting on Artificial Limits in our Classes by David ClarkResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelFollow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our...
In this episode, Joe Zeccola joins Sharona and Bosley to discuss the interplay between discrete skills and more "holistic" skills, primarily in the discipline of writing. Utilizing some questions asked by Dr. Emily Pitts Donahoe in a recent blog post about Rhetorical Analysis, Joe, Sharona and Bosley explore the balance between assessing discrete individual skills and assessing more holistic processes and how that might play into the design of an alternatively graded course.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Teaching Reading and Analysis with…Standards-Based Collaborative Grading? by Dr. Emily Pitts DonahoeTime for Meaning: Crafting Literate Lives in Middle & High School by Randy BomerReading/Writing Connection, The: Strategies for Teaching and Learning in the Secondary Classroom by Carol Booth OlsonThe Reading Apprenticeship frameworkPoint-Less: An English Teacher's Guide to More Meaningful GradingDeveloping Assessment-Capable Visible Learners, Grades K-12: Maximizing Skill, Will, and Thrill (Corwin Literacy) by Nancy Frey, John Hattie and Doug FisherResourcesThe Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading:Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley speak with Mariah Muller, an English teacher at Santee Education Complex in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Mariah works with Bosley at his school and is in her second year of teaching. In this interview, we explore what it is like to start your teaching career from the beginning using alternative grading practices, and what Mariah's experience with grading has been like as she adapts to being a new teacher. We also thought that this would be an interesting contrast with last week's episode about a long term teacher who teaches new teachers!LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!How Learning Works: Eight Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching, by Susan Ambrose, et al.The Case Against The Zero, by Douglas ReevesEpisode 55 – Alternative Grading as a Healing Process Part 1 of 2: Exploring the Harmful Wordviews that Undergird the Letter Grading System, an Interview with Dr. Jeff AndersonEpisode 56 – Alternative Grading as a Healing Process Part 2 of 2: Exploring the Harmful Wordviews that Undergird the Letter Grading System, an Interview with Dr. Jeff AndersonResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
In this episode we explore several questions sent in by listener's of the pod. From Interim Grades, creating learning objectives for high school science courses and how to track effort to why we even put this podcast and our work in alt grading out into the world, join us as we delve into the things that YOU are most interested in learning more about.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Next Generation Science StandardsA Parent's Guide to Grading and Reporting: Being Clear About What Matters, Chad Lang and Matt TownsleyEpisode 32 - Interview with Dr. TJ Hitchman - Active Learning and Alt Grading (and the need for structure when the internal motivation is not there)Episode 31 - The Role of "Effort" or "Work" in an Alternatively Graded CourseSpecifications Grading, Linda NilsenEpisode 33 - An Interview with Dr. Thomas GuskeyResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Due to technical difficulties we were unable to record a new episode this week. Therefore, please enjoy this timely replay. Many institutions require instructors to provide "interim" or "midterm" grades. How does this work with an alternatively graded class? In this episode, co-hosts Sharona and Bosley are once again joined by nationally board certified English teacher Joe Zeccola to discuss the practice of providing middle-of-the-term grades to students and other stakeholders. In addition to interim grades, we also discuss how redesigning your grading practices can have a profound impact on teaching practices throughout a classroom.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Specific links here.ResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelGrading for Equity, by Joe FeldmanThe Grading Podcast publishes every week on Tuesday at 4 AM Pacific time, so be sure to subscribe and get notified of each new episode. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All...
Today on the podcast Sharona and Bosley sit down with Erik Francis. An international author, educator, presenter and professional development provider, Erik has over 30 years of experience in education. He has written a number of books and blogs on Depth of Knowledge, Inquirying Questions, and other topics. In this conversation, we take a deeper look at Depth of Knowledge and how it might be used to allow us to better align our assessments with our Learning Outcomes.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!www.MaverikEducation.comDeconstructing Depth of Knowledge: A Method and Model for Deeper Teaching and Learning, Erik FrancisNow That's a Good Question!: How to Promote Cognitive Rigor Through Classroom Questioning, Erik FrancisInquiring Minds Want to Learn: Posing Good Questions to Promote Student Inquiry , Erik FrancisNext Generation Science StandardsSlaying Goliath: The Passionate Resistance to Privatization and the Fight to Save America's Public Schools, Diane RavitchThe Report of the Committee of Ten, James MackenzieA Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform, by The National Commission on Excellence in Education, April 1983Cognitive Rigor & DOK Focus Area, Dr. Karin HessResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley interview Dr. Chad Lang, the Assistant Superintendent of School Improvement at Glenwood Community School District in Iowa. Through our conversation we explore the various ways in which communication plays an important role in the impact grading reform can have on a community, a school, and a student population as well as how intentionally aligning hiring practices to your institutional values can support these efforts. We then explore the ROI of LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Glenwood Community School DistrictResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelGrading for Equity, by Joe FeldmanThe Grading Podcast publishes every week on Tuesday at 4 AM Pacific time, so be sure to subscribe and get notified of each new episode. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely
In this, our first two-part episode on The Grading Podcast, Sharona and Bosley speak with Dr. Jeff Anderson, a community college math professor who has been thinking and writing about alternative assessment practices since at least March 2021. This interview was so interesting and nuanced we just couldn't fit it into a single hour! Join us for a in-depth personal and professional journey about the impact grades had personally on Jeff and how he utilizes his lived experience to work towards a more just educational system and changes to our grading practices. LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!What is Good Mathematics? Terence TaoThe Harmful Worldviews that Undergird the Letter Grading System, blog post by Dr. Jeff AndersonA Century of Grading Research: Meaning and Value in the Most Common Education Measure, Brookhart, et. alThe Happiness Lab: Making the Grade, podcast episode Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram KendiPunished by Rewards by Alfie KohnThe Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market by Naomi OreskesDrive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel PinkResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Now that we are a few weeks out from the 2024 Grading Conference, Sharona sits down with two of the organizers (and repeat guests on the pod) Dr. Ashleigh Fox and Dr. Drew Lewis. Hear about some of the highlights of the conference for each of them, as well as what they hope to achieve with next year's conference.ResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelGrading for Equity, by Joe FeldmanThe Grading Podcast publishes every week on Tuesday at 4 AM Pacific time, so be sure to subscribe and get notified of each new episode. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.MusicCountry Rock performed by Lite SaturationCountry Rock by Lite Saturation is licensed under a
In this episode, Joe Zeccola and Dr. Ashleigh Fox join Sharona and Bosley as we look at a critique of standards-based grading written from someone in the trenches, already working in alternative grading. We discuss many of the main points of the article as a way of self-reflecting on our practices as we explore this world of alternative grading. LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!We Need to Talk About Standards-Based Grading, Grow Beyond Grades BlogEffects of no feedback, task-related comments, and grades on intrinsic motivation and performance. Butler, R. and Nisan, M. 1986, Journal of Educational PsychologyPrevious Episodes for Joe Zeccola: Episode 6 - The Anatomy of a Learning OutcomeEpisode 13 - Interim GradesEpisode 39 - Systemic ChangePrevious Episodes for Ashleigh FoxEpisode 15 - Alternative Grading as a Classroom Practice and a Dissertation TopicResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley speak with Dr. Latrice Bowman, a mathematics faculty member from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Latrice took the MAA OPEN intensive training on redesigning a course to use alternative grading and is back to talk about her first two times running the redesigned course. She shares lessons learned and changes made. We talk about reducing the number of learning outcomes, progress tracking, students conferences and so much more. Oh - and the result? A quadrupling of the pass rate from pre-calculus through first semester calculus.This is another great example of the process of course redesign.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!MAA OPEN Math ProjectResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelGrading for Equity, by Joe FeldmanThe Grading Podcast publishes every week on Tuesday at 4 AM Pacific time, so be sure to subscribe and get notified of each new episode. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website,
In this episode we talk with Becky Peppler and Don Smith from First Educational Resources, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to providing K-12 school districts in North America with affordable options for professional learning to support social emotional learning, instructional coaching, professional learning communities, and grading reform efforts. We discuss their experiences with supporting grading reform efforts in thousands of districts across North America, the challenges, the opportunities, and where we go from here. We also talk about the STAGR center and conference. STAGR stands for "Standards, Targets, Assessment, Grading, and Reporting". The STAGR conference, a 1-day virtual event held twice a year, provides a platform for K-12 educators to come together to understand the landscape of grading reform, identify strategies that reduce complexity and enhance understanding of reform efforts, and work to implement effective changes to grading systems. LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!The STAGR ConferenceExtinguishing the Fires within Assessment and Grading Reform, Garth Larson, Becky Peppler, Don Smith, and Matt TownsleyFair Isn't Always Equal: Assessment and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom, Rick WormeliLearning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (An Actionable Guide to Implementing the PLC Process and Effective Teaching Methods), Richard DuFourCollege BridgeRepair Kit for Grading: (3rd Edition) 15 Fixes for Broken Grades with Discussion and Repair Guide, Ken O'Connor and Rick WormeliResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
In this episode we talk with Dr. Rachel Weir. Dr. Weir is a Professor of Mathematics at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. She has been the Director of Faculty Development at Allegheny College for the past few years and is currently (as of when this episode was recorded) the new interim Provost at Allegheny College. We talk with Rachel about her journey into alternative grading, how that has impacted her work as the Director of Faculty Development and LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Allegheny College in Meadville, PAMAA Mathfest (Mathematical Association of America)The Academy of Inquiry Based LearningUngrading, by Susan D. BlumAcutec Precision AerospaceLiving Proof: Stories of Resilience Along the Mathematical JourneyResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel
On this episode we welcome back the "sportscaster" of Alternative Grading, Dr. Matt Townsley, to talk about his new book Extinguishing the Fires within Assessment and Grading Reform. As Alternative Grading practices grow and take shape throughout the United States, efforts to resist these reforms are also growing. This incredible new book offers practical guidance to navigating the complexities of transitioning to alternative grading architectures and how to address the seemingly inevitable pushback that many of us are now experiencing. Based on the lived experiences of the authors, this book is a MUST READ for anyone concerned about advocating for grading reform.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!Extinguishing the Fires Within Assessment and Grading Reform, Garth Larsen, Becky Peppler, Dan Smith, Matt Townsley.ResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelGrading for Equity, by Joe FeldmanThe Grading Podcast publishes every week on Tuesday at 4 AM Pacific time, so be sure to subscribe and get notified of each new episode. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's...
Join us as we explore some of the sessions at the upcoming Grading Conference! Sharona and Bosley share some details of the newly released schedule for the Grading Conference, as well as discuss which ones they would really like to attend.LinksPlease note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!The Grading ConferenceResourcesThe Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:The Grading for Growth BlogThe Grading ConferenceThe Intentional Academia BlogRecommended Books on Alternative Grading (Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!):Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David ClarkSpecifications Grading, by Linda NilsenUndoing the Grade, by Jesse StommelGrading for Equity, by Joe FeldmanThe Grading Podcast publishes every week on Tuesday at 4 AM Pacific time, so be sure to subscribe and get notified of each new episode. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.Music
Robert Talbert shares about the principles of grading for growth on episode 510 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. Quotes from the episode In one shot, she can't get a B in the class. And I sat there and just watched her sense of self worth and her excitement in the class just decay away right before my eyes. -Robert Talbert When you look at grades as we often use them in a traditional setting, they are much of what we do is under the guise of object what we think is objectivity. -Robert Talbert The biggest thing that's broken about grades is that traditional grading is completely disconnected from the notion of a feedback loop. -Robert Talbert Give helpful feedback that doesn't humiliate the student, affirms their basic dignity as a human being, and highlights what went well. Helpful feedback also highlights what could use some work and invites students to collaborate with you to make it better. -Robert Talbert Reattempts without penalty, that's the closing of the feedback loop. -Robert Talbert Points used for grades are a judgment call that results in a label. -Robert Talbert Resources Grading for Growth: A Guide to Alternative Grading Practices that Promote Authentic Learning and Student Engagement in Higher Education, by David Clark & Robert Talbert Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most (Third Edition), Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict, by Donna Hicks Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture That Brings Out the Best in People, by Donna Hicks The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain, by Annie Murphy Paul Robert Talbert's Sabbatical in Industry with Steelcase The 12-week plan for building courses, by Robert Talbert
Karen Costa shares how role clarity and boundaries can help us thrive on episode 505 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. Quotes from the episode I saw people being asked to, like, completely revamp their entire course and learn how to online, but nothing was removed from their plate. -Karen Costa So the first question I want folks to ask themselves is what are my qualifications in this role. -Karen Costa Just because you are qualified to do it does not mean that it is yours. -Karen Costa I didn't know what boundaries were until I was about 35 years old, and it's taken me about 7 years of really challenging interpersonal work to understand what boundaries are and to feel confident in setting boundaries for myself. -Karen Costa Resources Students Crossing Boundaries: Rudeness, disruptions, unrealistic demands. Where to draw the line? in The Chronicle of Higher Education, by Beth McMurtrie Scope of Practice Template, developed by Karen Costa Trauma-Informed Pedagogies: A Guide for Responding to Crisis and Inequality in Higher Education, edited by Phyllis Thompson, Janice Carello An Educator's Scope of Practice: How Do I Know What's Mine?, Karen Costa's Chapter in Trauma-Informed Pedagogies 99 Tips for Creating Simple and Sustainable Educational Videos: A Guide for Online Teachers and Flipped Classes, by Karen Costa Let's Talk About Menopause, by Karen Costa for Inside Higher Ed The 12-week plan for building courses, by Robert Talbert