The Grading Podcast

n this episode, Sharona and Boz sit down with returning guest Emily Pitts Donahoe (University of Mississippi) and first-time guest Sarah Silverman (Goodwin University) to explore the complex intersection of neurodiversity and alternative grading. Drawing on their collaborative three-part Substack series, Emily and Sarah unpack how different grading structures—ungrading, specifications grading, labor-based grading, and collaborative grading—interact with the varied needs of neurodivergent students. The conversation dives deep into the concept of “access friction”—the tension that arises when one group’s access needs conflict with another’s—and challenges the oversimplified idea that flexible grading is automatically better for all students. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support! * Karen Costa — “Supporting ADHD Learners” (podcast interview) [https://teachinginhighered.com/podcast/supporting-adhd-learners/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Karen Costa — “Accessibility & Mental Illness in Higher Ed” (article) [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/accessibility-mental-illness-higher-ed-karen-costa-hjwse?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Resources The Center for Grading Reform [https://www.centerforgradingreform.org/] - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building. The Grading Conference [https://www.thegradingconference.com/] - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12. Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading: * The Grading for Growth Blog [https://gradingforgrowth.com/] * The Grading Conference [https://www.thegradingconference.com/] * The Intentional Academia Blog [https://intentionalacademia.substack.com/] Recommended Books on Alternative Grading: * Grading for Growth [https://www.amazon.com/Grading-Growth-Alternative-Practices-Engagement/dp/1642673811/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AY77FRS7LWBJ&keywords=grading+for+growth&qid=1690223954&sprefix=grading+for+growth%252Caps%252C122&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=fe8d967e9ef22adcf74c58fbd3b9392b&camp=1789&creative=9325], by Robert Talbert and David Clark * Specifications Grading [https://www.amazon.com/Specifications-Grading-Restoring-Motivating-Students/dp/1620362422/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IIE9IBXJOZY9&keywords=specifications+grading&qid=1690228778&sprefix=specifications+grading%252Caps%252C131&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=488cafcb421ce6921a7790e129a928b7&camp=1789&creative=9325], by Linda Nilsen * Undoing the Grade [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFCZ5VCS?ref_=cm_sw_p_kb_dp&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=kpe], by Jesse Stommel Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page. If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com [https://www.thegradingpod.com/]. All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District. Music Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuEhnFL_D38], licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/].

In this episode of The Grading Podcast, Sharona Krinsky and Robert Bosley welcome Dr. Michael Palmer, the Barbara Fried Director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Teaching Excellence and recipient of the Bob Pierleoni Spirit of POD Award. Together, they dive deep into the origins of the new Alternative Grading Institute being offered by the Center for Grading Reform, the “grading scheme anatomy” framework under development by Michael and his team, and what it really takes to redesign assessment practices that are evidence based and align with our values as instructors. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support! * Alternative Grading Institute (Registration deadline October 15, 2025) [https://www.centerforgradingreform.org/alternative-grading-institute/] * Developing High-Impact Course Design Institutes [https://amzn.to/4mXRteo] * The Bob Pierleoni Spirit of POD Award  [https://podnetwork.org/bob-pierleoni-spirit-of-pod-award/] Resources The Center for Grading Reform [https://www.centerforgradingreform.org/] - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building. The Grading Conference [https://www.thegradingconference.com/] - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12. Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading: * The Grading for Growth Blog [https://gradingforgrowth.com/] * The Grading Conference [https://www.thegradingconference.com/] * The Intentional Academia Blog [https://intentionalacademia.substack.com/] Recommended Books on Alternative Grading: * Grading for Growth [https://www.amazon.com/Grading-Growth-Alternative-Practices-Engagement/dp/1642673811/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AY77FRS7LWBJ&keywords=grading+for+growth&qid=1690223954&sprefix=grading+for+growth%252Caps%252C122&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=fe8d967e9ef22adcf74c58fbd3b9392b&camp=1789&creative=9325], by Robert Talbert and David Clark * Specifications Grading [https://www.amazon.com/Specifications-Grading-Restoring-Motivating-Students/dp/1620362422/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IIE9IBXJOZY9&keywords=specifications+grading&qid=1690228778&sprefix=specifications+grading%252Caps%252C131&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=488cafcb421ce6921a7790e129a928b7&camp=1789&creative=9325], by Linda Nilsen * Undoing the Grade [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFCZ5VCS?ref_=cm_sw_p_kb_dp&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=kpe], by Jesse Stommel Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page. If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com [https://www.thegradingpod.com/]. All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District. Music Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuEhnFL_D38], licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/].

In this episode, Boz and Sharona dig into the instant reactions that educators often have when they first hear about alternative grading. Inspired by Dr. David Clark’s recent Grading for Growth blog post titled “Kneejerk Reactions,” Boz and Sharona unpack the most common reflexive objections to grading reform and explore practical, compassionate ways to respond. From “Retakes aren’t real world!” to “It might work for your students, but not mine,” they share stories and examples while dissecting how these quick defenses often mask deeper fears or misunderstandings about teaching, learning, and assessment. Along the way, they connect these reactions to issues of equity, institutional inertia, and the psychology of survivorship bias that keeps the “traditional grading” game alive. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support! * Episode 21 – Alt Grading in Large Chemistry Classes: An Interview with Dr. Eden Tanner [https://thegradingpod.com/episodes/21-alt-grading-in-chemistry-an-interview-with-dr-eden-tanner/] * Episode 70 – A Reassessments Deep Dive with Becky Peppler [https://thegradingpod.com/episodes/70-a-reassessments-deep-dive-with-becky-peppler/] * Episode 88 – Unearned Grades: Remaking the Conversation about Grade “Inflation” [https://thegradingpod.com/episodes/88-unearned-grades-remaking-the-conversation-about-grade-inflation/] * Episode 114 – Grading What Matters: Leveraging Extrinsic Motivation to Grow Students in Multiple Dimensions [https://thegradingpod.com/episodes/114-grading-what-matters-leveraging-extrinsic-motivation-to-grow-students-in-multiple-dimensions/] Resources The Center for Grading Reform [https://www.centerforgradingreform.org/] - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building. The Grading Conference [https://www.thegradingconference.com/] - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12. Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading: * The Grading for Growth Blog [https://gradingforgrowth.com/] * The Grading Conference [https://www.thegradingconference.com/] * The Intentional Academia Blog [https://intentionalacademia.substack.com/] Recommended Books on Alternative Grading: * Grading for Growth [https://www.amazon.com/Grading-Growth-Alternative-Practices-Engagement/dp/1642673811/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AY77FRS7LWBJ&keywords=grading+for+growth&qid=1690223954&sprefix=grading+for+growth%252Caps%252C122&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=fe8d967e9ef22adcf74c58fbd3b9392b&camp=1789&creative=9325], by Robert Talbert and David Clark * Specifications Grading [https://www.amazon.com/Specifications-Grading-Restoring-Motivating-Students/dp/1620362422/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IIE9IBXJOZY9&keywords=specifications+grading&qid=1690228778&sprefix=specifications+grading%252Caps%252C131&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=488cafcb421ce6921a7790e129a928b7&camp=1789&creative=9325], by Linda Nilsen * Undoing the Grade [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFCZ5VCS?ref_=cm_sw_p_kb_dp&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=kpe], by Jesse Stommel Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page. If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com [https://www.thegradingpod.com/]. All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District. Music Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuEhnFL_D38], licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/].

What happens when we give students meaningful choices in their learning? In this episode, Sharona and Boz dive deep into the role of student choice, autonomy, and agency in both K–12 and higher education classrooms. They start with a simple question: if nearly every school and district mission statement includes “lifelong learners,” how do our grading practices actually support—or undermine—that goal? From there, they explore how alternative grading practices can not only give students more options but also build genuine agency that empowers learners to set goals, take action, and connect their education to their lives. Key Topics Covered: * The difference between choice, autonomy, and agency—and why it matters. * Real classroom examples, from multiple-choice homework sets to open-ended calculus projects. * Research highlights, including a Science Advances study on how giving students control over attendance and homework increased their engagement and persistence. * Why students often choose harder work (and stick with it!) when the choice is theirs. * How alternative grading systems like Triple P (Preparation, Participation, Practice), contract grading, and ungrading create space for authentic student agency. * The role of AI and efficient tools in helping instructors offer tailored pathways without burning out. * Practical strategies for weaving agency directly into learning outcomes. Takeaway: Student choice alone isn’t enough. To truly prepare learners for life beyond the classroom, we need to design systems that move from choice → autonomy → agency, and grading reform is a powerful way to get there. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support! * Choosing to Learn: The Importance of Student Autonomy in Higher Education – Science Advances [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC466944/pdf/sciadv.ado6759.pdf] * Measuring Student Success Skills: A Review of the Literature on Student Agency – Center for Assessment (see especially pp. 16–17) [https://ibo.org/globalassets/new-structure/research/pdfs/student-agency-final-report.pdf] Resources The Center for Grading Reform [https://www.centerforgradingreform.org/] - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building. The Grading Conference [https://www.thegradingconference.com/] - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12. Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading: * The Grading for Growth Blog [https://gradingforgrowth.com/] * The Grading Conference [https://www.thegradingconference.com/] * The Intentional Academia Blog [https://intentionalacademia.substack.com/] Recommended Books on Alternative Grading: * Grading for Growth [https://www.amazon.com/Grading-Growth-Alternative-Practices-Engagement/dp/1642673811/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AY77FRS7LWBJ&keywords=grading+for+growth&qid=1690223954&sprefix=grading+for+growth%252Caps%252C122&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=fe8d967e9ef22adcf74c58fbd3b9392b&camp=1789&creative=9325], by Robert Talbert and David Clark * Specifications Grading [https://www.amazon.com/Specifications-Grading-Restoring-Motivating-Students/dp/1620362422/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IIE9IBXJOZY9&keywords=specifications+grading&qid=1690228778&sprefix=specifications+grading%252Caps%252C131&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=488cafcb421ce6921a7790e129a928b7&camp=1789&creative=9325], by Linda Nilsen * Undoing the Grade [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFCZ5VCS?ref_=cm_sw_p_kb_dp&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=kpe], by Jesse Stommel Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page. If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com [https://www.thegradingpod.com/]. All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District. Music Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuEhnFL_D38], licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/].

In this episode, Sharona and Boz dive into the essential role of community in grading reform. They reflect on their own journeys—Boz beginning with a supportive colleague and PLCs in K-12, and Sharona starting out largely on her own in higher ed—and how those experiences shaped their perspectives. Together, they explore why building communities of practice is critical not only for getting started and avoiding burnout but also for ensuring sustainability and institutional change. The conversation highlights: * The importance of professional learning communities (PLCs) and faculty learning communities (FLCs) as vehicles for change. * How shared spaces like the Grading Conference, Slack groups, and disciplinary networks provide support, momentum, and new ideas. * The differences and overlaps between K-12 and higher ed contexts when it comes to collaboration. * Research pointing to strategies such as data use, communication, and professional learning as key levers for culture change. * Why grading reform done in isolation rarely lasts, and how success multiplies when shared across a community. They also share upcoming opportunities for connection, including the new Alternative Grading Institute (December 17–18, 2025, hosted by the Center for Grading Reform), designed to help educators redesign courses with support and collaboration. This episode is a call to action: whether through local colleagues, national conferences, or virtual networks, community is the cornerstone of lasting grading reform. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support! * Transformational Change Efforts: Student Engagement in Mathematics through an Institutional Network for Active Learning [https://amzn.to/48pZpBu] * The Importance of Community in Fostering Change [https://seejournal.org/articles/10.21061/see.7] * Moving Toward Institutional Culture Change in Higher Education: An Exploration into Cross-functional Professional Learning Communities [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10755-024-09753-1] * Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning and Identity [https://amzn.to/3KdmwVU] Resources The Center for Grading Reform [https://www.centerforgradingreform.org/] - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building. The Grading Conference [https://www.thegradingconference.com/] - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12. The Alternative Grading Institute [https://www.centerforgradingreform.org/alternative-grading-institute/] - a 2-day intensive virtual training to kickstart your course redesign for alternative grading. Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading: * The Grading for Growth Blog [https://gradingforgrowth.com/] * The Grading Conference [https://www.thegradingconference.com/] * The Intentional Academia Blog [https://intentionalacademia.substack.com/] Recommended Books on Alternative Grading: * Grading for Growth [https://www.amazon.com/Grading-Growth-Alternative-Practices-Engagement/dp/1642673811/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AY77FRS7LWBJ&keywords=grading+for+growth&qid=1690223954&sprefix=grading+for+growth%252Caps%252C122&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=fe8d967e9ef22adcf74c58fbd3b9392b&camp=1789&creative=9325], by Robert Talbert and David Clark * Specifications Grading [https://www.amazon.com/Specifications-Grading-Restoring-Motivating-Students/dp/1620362422/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IIE9IBXJOZY9&keywords=specifications+grading&qid=1690228778&sprefix=specifications+grading%252Caps%252C131&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=488cafcb421ce6921a7790e129a928b7&camp=1789&creative=9325], by Linda Nilsen * Undoing the Grade [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFCZ5VCS?ref_=cm_sw_p_kb_dp&tag=thegradingpod-20&linkCode=kpe], by Jesse Stommel Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page. If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com [https://www.thegradingpod.com/]. All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District. Music Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuEhnFL_D38], licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/].