FAST Grading

Embrace effective grading procedures that have the power to reduce failure rates, improve student discipline, encourage learning, and enhance morale. In this three-part guide, the author presents practical strategies teachers and administrators can use to ensure their grading practices center on four essential criteria: fairness, accuracy, specificity, and timeliness. Apply case studies, real-world feedback models, and interactive reflection questions gain support for grading reform, navigate implementation challenges, and more.

Benefits

• Discover effective guides to resolving student behavior problems, tardiness, and academic dishonesty.
• Learn about the five mistakes educators often make that cause grading reform to fail.
• Understand how to gain the support of stakeholders for grading reform, even when opinions differ.
• Study how bad grading practices waste teachers’ time and how improved practices can save time.
• Consider the experiences of schools that have tackled grading challenges.
• Reflect on grading practices and plan improvements using exercises in every chapter.

Contents

Introduction       FAST Grading: Fair, Accurate, Specific, and Timely

Part I     Building Relationships with Teachers, Parents, and Communities

1              Preparing for FAST Grading

2              Finding Common Ground in the Grading Debate

3              Gaining Teachers’ Perspectives on Grading

Part II    Implementing FAST Grading and Improving Best Practices

4              Establishing FAST Grading

5              Implementing Time-Saving Strategies for Busy Teachers

6              Grading Student Behavior

Part III   Considering FAST Feedback Throughout Schools, Systems, and Communities

7              Learning from Physical Education and the Arts

8              Considering the Contexts of Teaching and Leading