The Non-Negotiable: How to Partner with Parents on Grading Reform

Are your grading conversations stuck in the "old paradigm"? In today's episode of Your Morning Boost, authors and grading experts Dr. Chad Lang and Dr. Matt Townsley (of The Parent's Guide to Grading and Reporting) reveal the most effective non-negotiable communication strategy for districts: equipping parents with new questions. They discuss how shifting parental communication from asking about a grade ("What can my child do to improve their grade?") to focusing on standards ("Which standards can my child still improve upon?") helps students own their learning and fosters a powerful home-school partnership. This shift transforms grades into meaningful communication about specific proficiency, rather than a permanent "tattoo."

Key Takeaways:

• Parents typically want to know: "How is my kid doing?" but they often ask the wrong questions.

• The critical communication strategy is to provide parents with a "new question bank" (like a T-chart or one-pager) to guide conversations about standards mastery.

• This approach reinforces the concept that the grade is a form of communication, not a punitive measure.

• It directly ties to research showing student self-identification of learning gaps leads to major growth.

You can find out more about our guests by visiting https://www.awbeducation.org/contributors-lineup. Pick up their book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or bloomsbury.com! Listen, subscribe, and share this episode to build true partnerships with your school families.

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