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From Points to Pointers: Shifting the Grading Paradigm

From Points to Pointers: Shifting the Grading Paradigm

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 Welcome to the first show of 2026! We are kicking off the New Year with a "heavy hitter" in the world of education. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Townsley, an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Northern Iowa and the acclaimed author of Making Grades Matter.If you have ever felt that traditional grading systems—driven by points, percentages, and "extra credit Kleenex boxes"—don’t accurately reflect what your students actually know, this conversation is for you. Dr. Townsley challenges us to move from a culture of "earning" to a culture of "learning."

Key Highlights:
  • The Power of Redos and Retakes: Why honoring different learning paces is essential for student success and how to implement a plan that avoids the "end-of-semester dump."
  • The 21-Point Inspection: A brilliant analogy for shifting grading from vague percentages to detailed, standard-based feedback.
  • Communication Over Compliance: How to move away from using grades as "carrots and sticks" and start using them as a clear map for student growth.
  • Practical Leadership: Tips for principals on how to affirm teachers who are already innovating in their assessment practices.
Stop chasing points and start focusing on evidence of learning. Tune in to learn how to diagnose the "holes in the bucket" and provide meaningful interventions that truly help students master their goals.

Connect with Dr. Matt Townsley:
  • University Profile: University of Northern Iowa Faculty
  • Book: Making Grades Matter


Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.

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