This presentation describes what we know about effective grading and reporting policies and practices. Keeping in mind the many practical challenges teachers face, we review the importance of fairness, honesty, and equity in grading and describe ways to ensure meaningful communication between teachers, students, and families. Procedures for implementing new reporting structures, including standards-based and competency-based grading models, are highlighted, together with policies and practices that should be avoided due to their negative consequences for students, teachers, and schools.


Guskey, T. R. (2024). Engaging Parents’ and Families in Grading Reforms. Corwin.
Guskey, T. R. (2020). Get Set, Go! Creating Successful Grading and Reporting Systems. Solution Tree.
Guskey, T. R., & Brookhart, S. M. (Eds.) (2019). What We Know About Grading: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What’s Next? ASCD.
Guskey, T. R. (2015). On Your Mark: Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting. Solution Tree.
Guskey, T. R., & Bailey, J. M. (2010). Developing Standards-Based Report Cards. Corwin.
Guskey, T. R. (2009). Practical Solutions to Serious Problems in Standards-Based Grading. Corwin.

A team of teachers and Instructional Technology Specialists will share how to implement literacy skills while implementing Design Thinking. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, explore real-world classroom examples, and leave with practical strategies for implementing Design Thinking in reading and writing lessons. Whether designing solutions to a character’s problem, creating storyboards for digital storytelling, or using empathy maps to develop strong narrative voices, educators will discover powerful ways to enhance literacy through innovation and design.

School leaders often encounter predictable challenges when attempting to reform grading and reporting—challenges that could have been anticipated and avoided. This presentation highlights three crucial prerequisites, backed by research, that eliminate those problems and help bring honesty and integrity to the grading process. These steps provide the necessary foundation for implementing grading policies and practices that prioritize students’ best interests, facilitate communication between school and home, and make grades honest, accurate, meaningful, and equitable. 


Guskey, T. R. (2024). Engaging Parents’ and Families in Grading Reforms. Corwin.
Guskey, T. R., Frey, N., & Fisher, D. (2024). Grading with Integrity. Corwin Press.
Guskey, T. R. (2020). Get Set, Go! Creating Successful Grading and Reporting Systems. Solution Tree.
Guskey, T. R., & Brookhart, S. M. (Eds.) (2019). What We Know About Grading: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What’s Next? ASCD.