Embrace effective grading procedures that have the power to reduce failure rates, improve student discipline, encourage learning, and enhance morale. In this three-part guide, the author presents practical strategies teachers and administrators can use to ensure their grading practices center on four essential criteria: fairness, accuracy, specificity, and timeliness. Apply case studies, real-world feedback models, and interactive reflection questions gain support for grading reform, navigate implementation challenges, and more.
Benefits
- Discover effective guides to resolving student behavior problems, tardiness, and academic dishonesty.
- Learn about the five mistakes educators often make that cause grading reform to fail.
- Understand how to gain the support of stakeholders for grading reform, even when opinions differ.
- Study how bad grading practices waste teachers time and how improved practices can save time.
- Consider the experiences of schools that have tackled grading challenges.
- Reflect on grading practices and plan improvements using exercises in every chapter.
Contents
Introduction FAST Grading: Fair, Accurate, Specific, and Timely
Part I Building Relationships with Teachers, Parents, and Communities
1 Preparing for FAST Grading
2 Finding Common Ground in the Grading Debate
3 Gaining Teachers Perspectives on Grading
Part II Implementing FAST Grading and Improving Best Practices
4 Establishing FAST Grading
5 Implementing Time-Saving Strategies for Busy Teachers
6 Grading Student Behavior
Part III Considering FAST Feedback Throughout Schools, Systems, and Communities
7 Learning from Physical Education and the Arts
8 Considering the Contexts of Teaching and Leading
Douglas Reeves, PhD, is the author of more than thirty books and eighty articles about education, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. He has presented his work on effective grading practices to audiences around the world. His research appears in Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, American School Board Journal, and many other publications. His comments on grading appeared on the cover of USA Today, and his work remains frequently cited in professional and academic publications. Douglas's honors include the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Brock International Prize, and the Contribution to the Field Award from the National Staff Development Council (now Learning Forward). He is the founding editor and copublisher of The SNAFU Review, where he provides one-on-one support for disabled veterans whose writing and art inspire others with post-traumatic stress disorder. He is also the founder of Finish the Dissertation, a free and noncommercial service for doctoral students. He lives with his family in downtown Boston.