The United States educational system has more tradition and emotion bound to the concept of grading than nearly any other nation in the world. The concept of grades, their meaning, and implications are largely accepted by adults today, and understandably so, as many grades have serious consequences for a student's future path in both occupation and earnings. Whether resulting from the educational fallout of the COVID-19 global pandemic or merely challenging the status quo, more schools are transitioning their grading practices away from traditional points and percentages and towards 21st century grading practices such as standards-based grading, and proficiency-based grading. The purpose of this book is to assist parents and guardians in understanding what is involved in 21st century grading and assessment. This book enables readers to become better partners with educators in efforts to understand students' strengths and areas for improvement. Specifically, this book is designed to help parents and guardians: 1) understand how education has changed since they were in school, 2) recognize the limits of information typically communicated through electronic gradebooks and report cards, 3) appreciate the information communicated through standards-based gradebooks and report cards, and 4) identify how 21st century grading and assessment benefits their student(s).
Matt Townsley is an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, IA) and was previously a K-12 district administrator. Dr. Townsley has firsthand experience implementing and leading lasting grading reform and has consulted with thousands of educators and parents across the globe on the topics of assessment and grading. Chad Lang is an experienced educational leader, currently serving as the Assistant Superintendent of School Improvement and Human Resources in Glenwood, Iowa. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Lang has a proven track record of successfully piloting, implementing, directing, and instructing grading and assessment practices and reforms in K-12 schools.
FOREWORD BY KEN O'CONNOR INTRODUCTION CHAPTERS "Help! Why does my child's gradebook and report card look different than when I was in school?" "But the old grading system worked for me. Why are schools changing the way they grade?" "How does 21st century grading hold my child accountable for learning?" "What about college? How do these grading practices affect GPA, scholarships and post high school positioning?" "How can I partner with my child's school in grading and feedback?" REFERENCES INDEX
