Effective Grading Practices for Secondary Teachers: Practical Strategies to Prevent Failure, Recover Credits, and Increase Standards-Based/Referenced Grading

Enact innovative grading systems that more accurately describe student progress! This book challenges traditional grading practices and provides alternatives that can have direct impact on student success. By making subtle shifts toward standards based grading systems, schools can reduce unnecessary course failures, provide students and their families a more accurate picture of current progress, and increase opportunities for success. The author offers a range of grading reform strategies that are built from practical frameworks that are effective and simple to adapt. Among the many strengths of this book are: Practical application of existing research and evidence base for effective secondary grading reforms A framework for schools and districts to apply and adapt failure prevention strategies such as early failure detection, Amnesty Days, and meaningful stipulated second chance opportunities for students to reach mastery Functional strategies and actions for shifting toward standards-based (referenced) grading without entirely abandoning letter grades Countering resistance to change through a-clearly-articulated plan for conducting school-wide and classroom level action research around the effectiveness of new or adjusted grading practices "Informative and pragmatic, this book is spot on with analysis of this elephant in the room issue. Nagel uses both empathy and humor in getting to the heart of a process to generate real solutions while underscoring the ultimate need for teacher voice in any successful implementation. He provides ready-made strategies for real, impactful change. I′m left hopeful that feedback will rule the day!" —Bruce Potter, Superintendent Berkshire UFSD "Nagel offers an insightful and articulate voice to secondary improvement and alignment through grading practices. His tried and true methods through working with real districts provides a starting place and examples for others to follow. A must-read for anyone serious about ensuring student engagement through meaningful feedback." —Debra K. Howe, Superintendent Tri-Creek School Corporation ?

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Jeffrey A. Erickson Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction Part I: Why Changing Grading at the Secondary Level Is a Tough Sell 1. Grading: Long Perceived as the One Immovable Element in a Constantly Evolving Field 2. Determining Why Grading Changes Are Needed Part II: Practice Trumps Policy 3. Policy: The Starting Point, Not the Destination Finder 4. Policy Into Practices: The Path to Effective Grading Part III: Grading Practices to Prevent Failure, Recover Credits, and Increase Grading on Standards 5. Preventing Unnecessary Failure 6. What Do We Do When Failure Does Happen? Effective Credit Recovery 7. Standards-Based Grading Part IV: Elements for Successful Implementation 8. Determining What (Could) Change 9. Implementation: Setting Up and Conducting Action Research Appendixes References Index

About the Author :
Dave Nagel has been a professional developer and educational consultant both nationally and internationally since 2003 and has done so as his primary job in education since 2008. Prior was a middle and high school science teacher and administrator in a large district in Indianapolis. As a school leader at Ben Davis High School (enrollment 3000 students) Dave was instrumental in developing a focused plan for differentiated goals for students based on specific proficiency measures which supported the school in improving its graduation rate 14% in just over 4 years.                                           Dave’s primary areas of expertise are in the areas of effective teacher and leader collaboration, assessment and feedback, and specifically effective grading actions both at the school and classroom level. He has been working specifically with Professor John Hattie’s Visible Learning research since 2011 that is a driving force for all of his work with teachers, coaches, and administrators. He has authored 5 books previous to this one, including four within the PLC+ series of publications (Corwin).                                          Published multiple times in various publications such as Principal Leadership and Educational Leadership, Dave has also presented at various national conferences. Dave has a strong moral aspect, strives to be very relatable and practical when working with people, and has a savvy sense of humor that supports him in his life and work.   Dave stays very busy with his beautiful and supportive wife, Kristen, and three boys (ages 20, 15, and 13). He acknowledges every day that the Lord guides his actions and is the driving force in his life. Dave is an independent consultant for Corwin Press and is the owner of NZJ Learning LLC (named after his three boys) and the Founder of The Center for Collaborative Expertise.

Review :
"This is a must read for educators striving to keep struggling learners engaged.  Every educator will reflect upon  his grading practices and will find strategies to encourage students to get the work done." "David Nagel offers an insightful and articulate voice to secondary improvement and alignment through grading practices.  His tried and true methods through working with real districts provides a starting place and examples for others to follow.  A must-read for anyone serious about ensuring student engagement through meaningful feedback.  Tri-Creek is very appreciative of the expertise he provided in our journey to align grading practices." "Informative and pragmatic, this book is spot on with analysis of this elephant in the room issue.  Dave Nagel uses both empathy and humor in getting to the heart of a process to generate real solutions while underscoring the ultimate need for teacher voice in any successful implementation. He provides ready-made strategies for real, impactful change. I′m left hopeful that feedback will rule the day!" A must read for anyone looking to gain further insight into effective grading practices. Dave not only provides a solid direction on how to navigate through changing grading practices, he also provides authentic examples of the challenges that often arise while doing so. A very accurate picture is provided so a solid understanding can be had about why grading practices need to shift, what the process in doing so truly entails, and suggestions to support success in change and implementation. Dave’s book provides great perspective on the why and how behind changing grading practices. While the process will often encounter barriers, as Dave authentically articulates throughout his book, the equity it brings to grading for students is imperative and necessary if grades are truly going to represent an indication of student mastery against targeted objectives. An excellent resource for anyone in education.  "This book makes the most compelling case to date for transforming grading practices at the secondary level. Every chapter is rich with convergent research and supported by effective analogies and examples. The argument strength for changing secondary grading practices builds from chapter to chapter and is bolstered through a logical arrangement of information. Anyone who reads this book will seek immediately to proactively find ways to solve the grading problems in their district. Simply stated, Dave′s synthesis of all of the available research on grading is irrefutable evidence that will lead to transformational changes in grading!" "I am always looking for new resources to further the conversation about grades and effective grading practices, and Dave Nagel′s book, Effective Grading Practices for Secondary Teachers, provides just that. From having the tough conversations about why grading practices need to evolve to how to successfully implement changes, Dave provides practical, research-based strategies to increase student success."