Full Description
Enact innovative grading systems that more accurately describe student progress!
This book challenges traditional grading practices and provides alternatives that can have direct impact on student success. By making subtle shifts toward standards based grading systems, schools can reduce unnecessary course failures, provide students and their families a more accurate picture of current progress, and increase opportunities for success. The author offers a range of grading reform strategies that are built from practical frameworks that are effective and simple to adapt.
Among the many strengths of this book are:
Practical application of existing research and evidence base for effective secondary grading reforms
A framework for schools and districts to apply and adapt failure prevention strategies such as early failure detection, Amnesty Days, and meaningful stipulated second chance opportunities for students to reach mastery
Functional strategies and actions for shifting toward standards-based (referenced) grading without entirely abandoning letter grades
Countering resistance to change through a-clearly-articulated plan for conducting school-wide and classroom level action research around the effectiveness of new or adjusted grading practices
"Informative and pragmatic, this book is spot on with analysis of this elephant in the room issue. Nagel uses both empathy and humor in getting to the heart of a process to generate real solutions while underscoring the ultimate need for teacher voice in any successful implementation. He provides ready-made strategies for real, impactful change. I'm left hopeful that feedback will rule the day!"
—Bruce Potter, Superintendent
Berkshire UFSD
"Nagel offers an insightful and articulate voice to secondary improvement and alignment through grading practices. His tried and true methods through working with real districts provides a starting place and examples for others to follow. A must-read for anyone serious about ensuring student engagement through meaningful feedback."
—Debra K. Howe, Superintendent
Tri-Creek School Corporation
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Contents
Foreword by Jeffrey A. Erickson
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
Part I: Why Changing Grading at the Secondary Level Is a Tough Sell
1. Grading: Long Perceived as the One Immovable Element in a Constantly Evolving Field
2. Determining Why Grading Changes Are Needed
Part II: Practice Trumps Policy
3. Policy: The Starting Point, Not the Destination Finder
4. Policy Into Practices: The Path to Effective Grading
Part III: Grading Practices to Prevent Failure, Recover Credits, and Increase Grading on Standards
5. Preventing Unnecessary Failure
6. What Do We Do When Failure Does Happen? Effective Credit Recovery
7. Standards-Based Grading
Part IV: Elements for Successful Implementation
8. Determining What (Could) Change
9. Implementation: Setting Up and Conducting Action Research
Appendixes
References
Index
