Ken O'Connor

How confident are you that the grades students get in your classroom, school or district are consistent, accurate, meaningful, and supportive of learning and that your report cards give quality information about each student as a learner?

The workshop will begin with the four standards for effective grades – accuracy, meaningfulness, consistency and supportiveness of learning. Then will follow introductory activities to activate thinking about some of the key issues involved in grading. Definitions of key terms will be shared to ensure that all participants are clear about terminology. Next will come consideration of the purpose(s) of grades;
participants will evaluate and prioritize a list of purposes. Shared understanding of purpose is critical because purpose is our compass. Seven ‘big picture’ perspectives about grading will then be presented for discussion followed by three activities designed to allow participants to consider grading practices and the issues that arise from those practices.

The main focus of the workshop will be on eight guidelines for grading and eleven guidelines for reporting that emphasize learning, and make grades and report cards more accurate, meaningful, and consistent. Each guideline will be introduced and then there will be opportunities for questions before table groups discuss the implications of each fix/guideline for their school.


Percentages of this workshop activity are:
40% Lecture
50% Hands on/Discussion
10% Make and Take (Team Planning)