Overview

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).

Full Product Details

9781475868012

Table of Contents

Reviews

"An essential guide for parents navigating the world of modern education, this book demystifies the transition from traditional to '21st century grading practices'. Townsley and Lang brilliantly blend research and practical scenarios to equip parents for meaningful conversations about their children's learning. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone seeking clarity on the evolving world of K-12 grading and assessment. I have long believed that the primary challenge in implementing more responsible grading and reporting practices in schools isn't that teachers and students aren't ready for change. It's that schools have struggled to accurately explain the research and rationale for change to parents and policymakers. That's why this book is a game-changer. Written in approachable language and addressing the common concerns that stakeholders beyond schools hold about 21st century grading practices, Townsley and Lang have created a text that can be used with parents and policymakers to build support for the grading practices that our students deserve. LEADERS! COMMUNITY MEMBERS! EDUCATORS! This book is a guide book for you and your community to understand standards based learning. The writers clearly explain the benefits of standards-based learning to parents in a way that is easy to understand with an emphasis on the why behind this type of reporting versus traditional grades. A quick read that could be given to any new family to your school and/or used as a ""one book, one community"" read over the summer. Many, many, practical examples of how standards-based learning might look in your community but written in a way that anyone can understand. AND if you are a leader or educator that is unsure of how standards-based learning can transform your classroom, this book is for YOU! You don't know what you don't know. Matt and Chad have literally given parents the answer key to having tough conversations with their students, teachers, and other parents about what grading should and should not look like. The research will anchor you, but the stories take you to the car, couch, classroom, or district office or wherever your conversations take place with the confidence you will need to help understand the true meaning of what matters in school."

"An essential guide for parents navigating the world of modern education, this book demystifies the transition from traditional to '21st century grading practices'. Townsley and Lang brilliantly blend research and practical scenarios to equip parents for meaningful conversations about their children's learning. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone seeking clarity on the evolving world of K-12 grading and assessment.--Michael J. Maffoni, Author, Educator, and Consultant I have long believed that the primary challenge in implementing more responsible grading and reporting practices in schools isn't that teachers and students aren't ready for change. It's that schools have struggled to accurately explain the research and rationale for change to parents and policymakers. That's why this book is a game-changer. Written in approachable language and addressing the common concerns that stakeholders beyond schools hold about 21st century grading practices, Townsley and Lang have created a text that can be used with parents and policymakers to build support for the grading practices that our students deserve.--William M. Ferriter, Career Classroom Teacher, Author and Professional Development Provider LEADERS! COMMUNITY MEMBERS! EDUCATORS! This book is a guide book for you and your community to understand standards based learning. The writers clearly explain the benefits of standards-based learning to parents in a way that is easy to understand with an emphasis on the why behind this type of reporting versus traditional grades. A quick read that could be given to any new family to your school and/or used as a ""one book, one community"" read over the summer. Many, many, practical examples of how standards-based learning might look in your community but written in a way that anyone can understand. AND if you are a leader or educator that is unsure of how standards-based learning can transform your classroom, this book is for YOU!--Dr. Kristen Paul, Director of Social Emotional Learning, Leadership Coach and Adjunct Professor You don't know what you don't know. Matt and Chad have literally given parents the answer key to having tough conversations with their students, teachers, and other parents about what grading should and should not look like. The research will anchor you, but the stories take you to the car, couch, classroom, or district office or wherever your conversations take place with the confidence you will need to help understand the true meaning of what matters in school.--Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, author, speaker and 2019 Education Dive National Superintendent of the Year"

Author Information

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.

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