I gave a short presentation on Meaningful Grading, , Grading Norms, and the PLC process this morning.

The discussion made a few feel uncomfortable.



I used anonymous responses so teachers could give honest feedback and answers.



Here is our discussion and a few takeaways.

The talk started by asking a few questions to make teachers think.

→ What does a grade represent in your gradebook?

→ What does a student's grade tell you?

I received responses such as...

"Participation"

"Mastery of a given standard"

"The student's ability to follow directions"

"Understanding & motivation to learn"

As you can see, the answers were all over the place. We did not have many common answers.

The next questions teachers had to answer was...

→ What is the difference between a student earning a "B" and a student earning a "C"?

The responses to question 2 were even less aligned.

"effort"

"ability to turn in work on time"

"The amount of prompting"

"A "C" represents less mastery than a "B""

"Participates more in class than the "C" student"

We then went through building specifics.

I looked at a typical student's day.

I read the gradebook policies for that student, highlighting things such as gradebook categories and late work policies.

As you can imagine, categories and late work policies were all over the place.

This naturally led into the importance of grading norms, clear rubrics, and grade calibration within PLCs.

We ended the talk with the following quote.

Richard DuFour et al. in "Learning by Doing"

I didn't have this talk with all the answers in mind.

I enjoy posing questions and I believe this topic is important. Maybe the most important.

Grades should represent learning.

Meaningful Grading Professional Development

I never want to be the principal that forgets what its like to be in the classroom.

Here are my current methods of staying connected. 

↓↓↓

1. Be in the classroom

This sounds like a no-brainer, but there are far too many Admin not completing walkthroughs. It is so easy to push these aside, but if you want to know what is happening in the classroom, be in the classroom.

My goal: 10 walkthroughs per week.

↓↓↓

2. Listen to teachers

If Teachers aren't coming to you with their concerns, you are either unapproachable, intimidating, or have already failed them in the past. 

When they do come to you with concerns, remember to listen to LEARN, not to respond. 

↓↓↓

3. Read NEW research

Reading educational research from 15 years ago is great, but education is completely different now than it was 15 years ago. 

Education is ever evolving and the good news is there is a ton of research happening every day. 

↓↓↓

4. Get hands on classroom tech

Educational technology changes drastically each year. There are new apps, websites, and tech tools all the time.

If you are asking teachers to use specific technology, YOU need to know how to use it and implement the tech for good.  

↓↓↓

5. Find your go-tos

Find the teachers in your building you can go for truth. The ones that will always give you solid feedback without the BS.

Run new initiatives/requirements by them to hear how the classroom will be affected.

Not for advice, but to gauge your staff.

↓↓↓

→My plan to stay connected to the classroom←

- Be in the classroom
- Listen to teachers
- Read new research
- Get hands on with tech
- Find the go-to teachers

Staying Connected to the Classroom

If the punishment is the end of misbehavior, you're doing it wrong.

Every discipline opportunity is a LEARNING opportunity.

But as we all know, students aren't always ready to learn while we are teaching the lesson.

So what do we do?
↓↓↓

Similar to my classroom, I offer retakes in my office.

Students must show they are ready for the retake. A lot of times that means a consequence comes before the learning. 

My goal is still the same. I want students to show mastery and I believe they can.
↓↓↓

→Consequences end with conferences←

A consequence is not complete without a conference with the student. 

A conversation always happens before the student returns to their normal schedule and we focus on what they LEARNED.

↻

→Consequences Ends with Conferences ←

There will be a lot of new Administrators this year in schools around the country. 

I still consider myself new to Administration and I am still learning.  

Here's 10 things I wish I knew my first year...
(in no particular order)
🧵

1. Document Everything:

You will interact with more students now. You'll likely be involved in some "big" discipline issues. 

It doesn't matter how big or small. You must document everything. It will save you in the long run. 

2. Keep Care-Takers Informed:

You will have students in and out of your office. You will need information and you will have to question students. 

Getting called to the Principal's office is still a big deal. 

Call home and make sure families understand the situation. 

3. Be Visible:

This should be a given, but I still hear stories about Admin staying in their office all day.

Be in the halls every passing period.
Be at every lunch.
Complete walk-throughs during classes.

You build relationships with teachers and students when you're visible.

4. It's okay to say "I don't know":

Now that you're an Admin, you may feel like you will need all the right answers.

You won't.

It's okay to say "I don't know, but let me find out" 
Use your resources and find solutions. But do NOT forget to come back to these conversations! 


5. Apologize:

You will be juggling a lot more responsibility now. 

You will make mistakes. 

That's okay if you handle it correctly. Be quick to apologize and work to do better next time. 

6. Listen to learn, not respond:

Teachers and students need you to hear them. They may not always need a response. 

When they are talking, don't think about what you want to say next. 

Just listen. 

7. Make data informed decisions: 

Every decision you make will have an impact. Make sure you're using data to help inform your decisions. 

If you don't have access to school/district data, ask for it. 

8. Support Teachers:

You will have long conversations with parents about how bad certain teachers are, and some  students will talk poorly about their teachers.

Support your teachers. Don't ever speak poorly about one of your teachers. 

Find ways to make their voice heard!

9. Bolster the mission/vision of the Head Principal:

This is probably goal number 1 for APs, or it should be. 

Ask about the goals of the Principal.

Take action to help the goals come to fruition. 

You are there to support the Principal! 

10. Take care of yourself

This one is huge but not always easy. There is a lot of stress and exhaustion in this job. Make sure you know your stressors and how you plan to recharge. 

Don't get to your breaking point.

I know I've missed a few and I'm not pretending like I know everything. I have a lot more to learn. 

What am I missing? 

What would you have liked to know your first year as an Admin? 

Teachers, what do you want your Admin to know? 

Things I wish I knew my first year.

Some teachers will say building relationships with students is the most important way for students to learn. 

Relationships are not the priority. 

However, being relational is...

Relationships are a two way street. 

The student must also be relational with the teacher.

If you try and force relationships, you'll likely end up feeling rejected, and students may push back harder. 

So what does the teacher do? 

It's not about building relationships, although that will likely happen for some, it's about being relational. 

All teachers should be kind, caring, and welcoming to ALL students. 

That's being relational.

Relationships vs Relational

What is your favorite lesson to teach? 

For me it was one that wasn't on the district pacing calendar, and it wasn't part of our purchased curriculum...

But the students loved it! 

When I taught 8th grade pre-algebra there was always a unit covering ratios and proportions. 

If you have taught math or science before, you know UNITS MATTER!

This is where my favorite lesson comes into play

The linked video is almost 30 minutes long, but it's a phone conversation of a person trying to correct his phone bill with @Verizon. 

The company quotes a different price than what he is billed. 

https://youtu.be/MShv_74FNWU

I would hate to be on the customer end of this conversation, but I am glad it happened and that it was recorded. 

This video started so many great conversations in my classroom. 

I looked forward to it every year and the students loved it!

The company came out and apologize and the bill was corrected. The hashtag #VerizonMath still gets some traction from time to time with other companies making similar mistakes. 

Favorite Lesson

Learning over grades

Learning over rules

Learning over responsibility

Learning over behavior

Learning over respect

Learning over everything 

🧵

Learning over grades

Are students constantly asking what they can do to raise their grade? 

Are zeros a regular occurrence? 

Learning should always be more important than the grade. 

The educator must lead this shift in mindset. 

Learning over rules

Due dates, where/how to turn in assignments, using a pen vs. pencil, etc.

Do you need rules in your classroom? Of course! 

But rules should never get in the way of learning. 

Learning over responsibility

Due dates, names on paper, bringing supplies to class, etc.

Do we want students to practice responsibility? Of course! 

But don't let a punishment get in the way of learning! 

Learning over behavior

ALL students can learn.

Behavior issues can easily get in the way of learning and they should always be addressed. 

But never dismiss a student due to their behavior. 

They can learn! 

Learning over respect

I've had a few poor first impressions of students. I have let their disrespect get in the way of their learning too many times. 

Let go of the power struggle. Work to build the relationship.

Focus on their learning!

Learning over everything

I truly believe if we shift the focus to learning for ALL, the other stuff will follow. 

These are all extremely important topics that cannot be ignored, but they can all get in the way of learning... 

If we let them.

Learning Over Everything

Quick formative assessments are the best way to gauge student progress on a specific learning goal. 

Here is one I like to use!
🧵

I used this in my Algebra I and Geometry classes, but it can easily transfer to other subjects/grade levels

First, create meaningful questions that target specific standards/skills. 

The questions should be small enough to fit on one post-it note or single strip of paper to go in your pocket. 

Second, put the questions in your pocket, a bag, or bucket. 

Find a way to draw these questions at random. 

Third, while students are working, draw questions at random and stay with the student as they work the "Pocket Problem"

Next, GIVE FEEDBACK!

This is the most crucial step. Students need to know how to get to mastery!

https://twitter.com/TeachLeadRepeat/status/1529054635809546240?s=20&t=xM8yHzMeaO340FE2JAsvrQ

Finally, remove one or two questions from their homework that assessed the same standard. 

This tells the student you value their time. 

Formative assessments don't have to be formal assessments, but they should be purposefully planned. 

Pocket Problems

Teachers instantly have thoughts about students when they read their name. 

It is important that these thoughts have no weight when the teacher is grading. 

Grading should always be unbiased. 
Here is a simple tip to help, but first the research... 🧵

All educators should read @PoorvuCenter's article on Blind Grading. They have the research to back up that grading with bias is an issue, and they offer solutions to help. 

https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/BlindGrading

Here are a few things that may help remove bias from your grading. 

If your school uses an LMS like @Canvas_by_Inst make sure you turn on the "hide students names while grading" feature. 

This is the easy way to remove all bias while grading!

The link below shows you how to turn this feature on. 
https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-hide-student-names-in-SpeedGrader/ta-p/768

Don't use Canvas as an LMS?

No worries, even doing something as small as having students place their name on the last page instead of the first may help remove bias. 

You could also use a random number generator to assign students numbers, instead of using their names. 

What ever you choose to do, I hope you are thinking about this before grading the next stack of papers. 

Bias in grading is real, and it can hinder the gradebook from showing true learning. 

How do you keep bias out of your gradebook?

Solutions to Avoid Grading with Bias

Getting students to take ownership of their learning is critical.

Teachers can facilitate this by guiding students to track their own progress. 
🧵

#sblchat

When switching to Standards Based Learning I found the extremely helpful website whenmathhappens.com from Dane Ehlert. I used a similar folder system and created my own S.T.O.P. document. "Students Track Own Progress"


Click the links below to see my S.T.O.P. document or use the blank one to create your own!

Geometry 2nd Semester
https://bit.ly/392iayR

Blank
https://bit.ly/3w3MEt3

I am definitely not the first teacher to have students track their progress and I'm sure you can find better templates. 

I would love to see what you do in your classroom. 

If you have students tracking their progress, please share below!

#sblchat