Changing the Grading Conversation with Stakeholders:
How to Align Systems to 21st Century Needs
2-Part Webinar Series
DATE
April 11 and 25, 2024
Recorded Access Through December 31, 2024.
TIME
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Central Time
LOCATION
Sessions take place on Zoom.
Embark with your school on a transformative journey to address the pressing challenges of grading reform in modern education. Our expert-led sessions are designed to empower school leaders, educators, and stakeholders with groundbreaking strategies to revolutionize student and parent engagement in grading practices. We tackle the critical need to shift from outdated grading systems to innovative, growth-focused approaches that resonate with 21st-century learning. By attending, your school will gain essential insights into making students active participants in their educational assessment and mastering the art of effective parent-teacher communication. These sessions are pivotal for anyone looking to navigate and successfully implement the much-needed reforms in grading, ensuring student success and parental support in today's rapidly evolving academic landscape.
Session 1: Advanced Strategies for Helping School Leaders Engage Students in Grading Reform
Explore the transformative world of grading reform and its impact on student success. This session delves into the challenges students face in understanding traditional grading systems and introduces innovative strategies for grading reform, emphasizing growth-focused learning and effective communication. Discover how these reforms not only align with 21st-century skills but also prepare students for post-high school success. School leaders will learn how to avoid common pitfalls and implement proactive measures to make students active participants in their educational assessment.
Session 2: Advanced Strategies for Helping School Leaders Engage Parents/Guardians in Grading Reform
This session offers in-depth insights into how grading is transforming from traditional methods to a more reflective and comprehensive approach that truly captures student learning. We'll explore effective communication strategies to help parents understand and embrace these changes, highlighting the benefits for their children's academic and future career success. Learn with us how to shift the conversation from grades to learning progress, addressing common concerns and empowering parents to be active participants in this educational evolution.
Matt Townsley
Matt Townsley has authored over 30 articles and books focused on grading including Making Grades Matter: Standards-Based Grading in a Secondary PLC at Work (2020, Solution Tree), Using Grading to Support Student Learning (2022, Routledge) and A Parents’ Guide to Grading and Reporting: Being Clear about What Matters (2023, Rowman & Littlefield). As a former district administrator and teacher in the Solon Community School District (Solon, IA), he has firsthand experience implementing and leading lasting grading reform. Through conferences, professional development and workshops, Dr. Townsley has consulted with teachers, administrators, and parents across the globe on the topics of assessment and grading. Dr. Townsley is currently an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa.
Chad Lang
Chad Lang is a recognized school leader, author, and consultant specializing in grading and assessment reform for 21st-century student success. Named the 2023 Iowa Central Office Administrator of the Year, he co-authored "A Parents’ Guide to Grading and Reporting: Being Clear about What Matters" (2023, Rowman & Littlefield). His scholarly contributions include publications in Phi Delta Kappan and Educational Leadership. Additionally, as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Chad draws from extensive experience as an educator, administrator, and consultant, consistently driving impactful change in education.
Interested in Learning More About our Standards/ Target-Based Grading Services?
From institutes and workshops, to side-by-side coaching, we are here to support your efforts!
