Effective grading can support students to become independent, self-directed learners and get the full benefits of high-quality teaching and assessment. Grades can provide important information for students, parents, teachers, and others; but to be useful, grades must be meaningful, accurate, consistent, and supportive of learning. As schools move away from traditional grading practices toward more effective practices, a number of “hot button” issues cause difficulties and sometimes derail implementation. Concurrently, a growing body of research shows the positive effects of rich, descriptive feedback to support learners and the positive ways the brain responds to information about progress. Ken O’Connor, international expert on the topic of effective standards-based grading and reporting, will address the positive challenges and current tensions associated with grading and reporting and the impact to students and their teachers. Arthur Chiaravalli, a leading practitioner voice for the benefit of fewer summative marks and more descriptive feedback to students, will augment this session with a practitioner’s perspective.
This session will address these questions:
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