We know.

We know there’s something not quite right when in it comes to grading. Ask most educators how they feel about grading and they will likely share something that does not shine a positive light on its place in the educational experience. To test that theory, I recently posed this prompt on Twitter.

Below are the responses from various educators from many different places, from many different levels, and from many different subject areas. Of course, this is not conclusive for all, but I do believe it’s indicative of the predisposition a great many feel towards grading.

We know. It’s as simple as that. We know that there’s a problem with grading and its impact on learning. And while I suppose some would suggest that I–we–should leave well enough alone, I can’t. We can’t. Ignoring things does not better things. I want better. I believe in better. And that is why I am proposing and will continue to promote and develop the idea of No Grade November. But it is not coming only from a place of problem; it is also come from a place of possibility. We can learn about learning. I am not suggesting that after one month of setting grades aside we will fix the problem. I am suggesting that we will learn about learning. And from that learning, my hope is that we continue to learn for the other eleven months of the year. We can and will plant a seed. And from there, we will grow. I believe this.

Happy Monday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.