The main ideas of the book:

• Many of our current common grading practices actually undermine student learning and have a negative impact on equity and motivation.
• There are research-based grading practices that are more accurate, less biased, and more motivating. By adopting new grading practices, you can improve learning, equity, and transparency all at once.

Why I chose this book:

Like most educators, fairness and equity are close to my heart. As a former math teacher, I deeply appreciate how teachers’ grade calculation methods – all those averages, weights, and percentages – have a direct impact on students’ grades as well
as other related outcomes like class placements, college admissions, and future opportunities.

This book takes the “geek speak” out of grade calculations and translates it into a clear equity message. An accurate, unbiased, and motivating grading system is a tool we need to support our students equitably. Joe Feldman shares with us exactly what equitable grading systems look like and gives us the motivation we need to pick up the tools and get to work.

•  The research base that supports equitable grading practices.
•  The three basic principles you need to select and implement changes to your grading policies.
•  Specific and easy-to-understand dos and don’ts of equitable grading.
•  A dose of courage and the conviction to communicate about grading policy changes and why they are needed.
•  The Main Idea’s PD suggestions and HANDOUT to help staff rethink inequitable grading practices (end of the summary).