The Grading Podcast

In this episode, Sharona and Bosley explore the ideas from Malcolm Gladwell's iconic book The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. During the discussion, they explore the key indicators of a tipping point and discuss how we as a community might try to intentionally move towards a tipping point into mass awareness and (hopefully) adoption. 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! * The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference [https://amzn.to/4o1MAmu], Malcolm Gladwell 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/].

It's Summertime! And how to teachers and instructors often spend their summers? Why, reworking their courses, correct? In this episode, Sharona and Boz share their thoughts, ideas, and recommendations for working through the course redesign cycle and iteratively examining your course. Whether you are newer to alt grading or have been doing it a long time, this episode contains questions and ideas to work on your course for the upcoming school year! 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! * The Course Redesign Cycle [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PHfmEwD-2qSZNlVgPY70pfMoUB-bbsi4TRVsNCGh7WI/edit?usp=sharing] * Interview with Doug Wilson, Episode 101 [https://thegradingpod.com/episodes/101-visionary-leadership-culture-change-through-asking-questions-a-10-year-journey-to-building-wide-grading-reform/] * Twenty+ Small Steps to Get Started, Episode 38 [https://thegradingpod.com/episodes/38-twenty-small-steps-to-get-started-with-alt-grading/] 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 recap some of the incredible things that happened at the 2025 Grading Conference. Highlights from the keynote speakers, student voices, and conversations around the "watercooler". This conference was an incredible capstone to a fantastic year for alternative grading. 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! * Dr. Asao Inoue on episode 99 [https://thegradingpod.com/episodes/99-labor-based-grading-in-rhetoric-and-composition-an-interview-with-asao-inoue/] * Dr. Eden Tanner on episode 21 [https://thegradingpod.com/episodes/21-alt-grading-in-chemistry-an-interview-with-dr-eden-tanner/] * Dr. Jeff Anderson on: Episode 55 [https://thegradingpod.com/episodes/55-alternative-grading-as-a-healing-process-part-1-of-2-exploring-the-harmful-wordviews-that-undergird-the-letter-grading-system/] and Episode 56 [https://thegradingpod.com/episodes/56-alternative-grading-as-a-healing-process-part-2-of-2-exploring-the-harmful-wordviews-that-undergird-the-letter-grading-system-an-interview-with-dr-jeff-anderson/] * Jeff Anderson's Resources [https://jeffandersonmath.wordpress.com/2025/04/30/letter-grades-cause-learning-cancer-what-might-we-do-instead/]: Keynote from the 2025 Grading Conference 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 Bosley sit down for a conversation with Dr. Sean Michael Morris to talk about Critical Digital Pedagogy. What is it? How can we think critically about our grading practices? How do we think critically about AI and it's impact on our grading choices? 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! * https://www.seanmichaelmorris.com/ [https://www.seanmichaelmorris.com/] * Critical Digital Pedagogy - What Is It? [https://hybridpedagogy.org/critical-digital-pedagogy-definition/] * 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 interview Doug Wilson, principal of Avondale High School in Michigan, about his advice on implementing building-wide grading reform. This discussion touches on ways of being a visionary leader, how to move towards culture change around grades, and advice to administrators (and teachers!) on how to question our practices with an eye towards improving kids' learning. Join us for this fascinating conversation to move forward with 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! * Materials from Doug Wilson supporting Grading Reform (Google Folder Link) [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EjfnZanB1J8iGIJLJIlak2C2ap6cFpWI?usp=sharing] * Building Thinking Classrooms [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EjfnZanB1J8iGIJLJIlak2C2ap6cFpWI?usp=sharing], by Peter Liljedahl 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/].