Grading for Equity

Grading practices and policies in education are rooted in a 100+ year-old system designed primarily to prepare students for manual labor. These polices often do a better job of preparing students to master the skills of compliance and rote mastery, rather than how to become leaders of their own learning.

We don’t usually think of grading when talking about equity, but in Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms, Joe Feldman helps us see why grading is an integral part of an equity agenda. He shows us how we can use grading to help students become the leaders of their own learning and lift the veil on how to succeed. He reminds us that authentic assessment and transparent grading are essential parts of a culturally responsive classroom. This must-have book will help teachers learn to implement improved, equity-focused grading for impact.

- ZARETTA HAMMOND
Education Consultant and Author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, St. Mary’s College’s Kalmanovitz School of Education

Grant Funding to Explore Grading Equity at NLU

As an innovative higher education institution with a focus on equity and closing opportunity gaps, NLU is committed to exploring all policies and practices that may lead to better outcomes for our students. Jennifer Engelland-Schultz and Beth Minor from the National College of Education, and Joseph Levy, Executive Director of Assessment and Accreditation, have expressed passion regarding equitable grading practices and how best to implement them at NLU. NLU has responded by awarding them a Seed Grant for this work. This year, Dr. Engelland-Schultz, Dr. Minor, and Dr. Levy plan to explore current NLU grading practices and policies, socialize the Feldman's Grading for Equity work with their colleagues, and gather community support to implement the work in the 2023-2024 academic year and beyond.

Learn more about their work:

Start Engaging with Grading for Equity Work!

To begin their work, Dr. Jennifer Engelland-Schultz, Dr. Beth Minor, and Dr. Joseph Levy will be hosting an introduction to Joe Feldman's book, Grading for Equity. The session will include a brief introduction to the book, insights into their seed grant work, and a call to action.

We look forward to you bringing your questions and passion to this session!

Equity in Practice Series

As an innovative higher education institution with a focus on equity and closing opportunity gaps, NLU is committed to exploring all policies and practices that may lead to better outcomes for our students. In this series, Dr. Engelland-Schultz, Dr. Minor, and Dr. Levy will be exploring current NLU grading practices themed on Joe Feldman's Grading for Equity work. So, bring your teaching skills and an open mind as we discuss how to infuse equity-mindedness into our pedagogy. Click "Explore" to visit the Grading for Equity page.

Topic: Accuracy in Grading

Friday May 26, 2023 - Noon - 1:00pm (CST)

Previous Sessions:

Topic: Motivational Grading

Topic: Bias Resistance