141 - The Ungrading Spectrum: From Compliance to Student Ownership
About this episode
The episode explores the ungrading spectrum and how educators can shift from compliance-driven grading to student-centered approaches.
In this episode, Sharona and Boz welcome back Chris Sarkonak to explore his powerful concept of the ungrading spectrum—a framework that maps the evolution of grading mindsets from traditional, compliance-driven systems to collaborative, student-centered approaches. Drawing on his classroom experience and professional journey, Chris unpacks how educators move from “this is how it’s always been done” toward systems that prioritize student agency, reflection, and ownership of learning. The conversation dives into the hidden inconsistencies of grading (including how the same student can receive vastly different results depending on grading structures), the role of student voice in creating more valid assessment systems, and the real-world constraints educators face when trying to shift practices. Along the way, the hosts wrestle with their own tensions around student input, rigor, and readiness, ultimately highlighting that while no system is perfect, rethinking grading through a lens of collaboration and purpose can dramatically expand who succeeds in our classrooms. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through…
More episodes of The Grading Podcast
- 145 - The Wrap-Up Dilemma: Turning Evidence into a Final Grade with Dr. Tim Monk
- 144 - Second-Order Change: Why Grading Reform Requires Leadership, Not Just Teachers
- 143 - Barrier or Breakthrough? Course Coordination and the Future of Grading with Deb Carney
- 142 - Please Harvard! Don't get it wrong this time!! What's wrong with a cap on A's - a discussion with Dr. Stephanie Valentine
- 140 - Beyond Labels: Specifications, Standards and Designing Better Grading - with Adriana Streifer
- 139 - Using Your Values to Design Your Grading with Dr. Lindsay Masland
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Grading Podcast podcast page.