Secondary Grading Practices

• Overview of the board resolution and Task Force responsibilities
• Analyze stakeholder feedback  and other data on current grading practices
• Begin drafting a Purpose of Grading statement
• 1.21.2025 Meeting Notes

• Review and edited drafts of the Purpose of Grading statement
• Professional learning: Equal-interval grading scale
• Presentation by School Board President, Dr. Nancy Katims
• 2.26.2025 Meeting Notes

1. Reviewed currently-implemented grading practices within the system
2. Discussed which practices could be implemented by the fall and which would need a longer timeline

1. Adopted a Secondary Purpose of Grading Statement (see below)
2. Continued work on a timeline for grading expectations 

Secondary Purpose of Grading Statement

In Edmonds, the purpose of grading is:

• To provide students, families, educators, and higher education or future employers with transparent, accurate, and impartial information about individual student progress toward mastery of academic standards.
• To help students reflect on their learning, identify areas for growth, and set goals.

Formative grades guide teachers in adjusting instruction. Summative grades signal student readiness for progression toward the next level of learning.

During the May 21 meeting of the Grading Practices Task Force, the following expectations were approved for implementation beginning in the Fall 2025 semester:

• All course syllabi must include clearly defined policies for retakes and late work.
• Gradebooks in Skyward must be limited to a maximum of six categories, with each category defined in the course syllabus.

In addition to those expectations, there will be a renewed effort to ensure that grades are updated in the Skyward grade book every two weeks.

The Task Force also considered a proposed five-year implementation plan aimed at establishing district-wide grading practices for grades 7–12 that are fair, accurate, and standards-based, in alignment with the board-adopted resolution. Although the plan received 75.9% support from voting members, it did not reach the 80% threshold required to move forward.

As a result, the proposed five-year plan will not be posted on this website. Further discussion will take place at the May 27 school board meeting.

This meeting reviewed the Grading Task Force's work to date and looked to reach consensus on the next phase of implementation. Participants revisited the School Board resolution and reviewed accomplishments from the first year. This included the Purpose of Grading Statement, syllabus expectations for late work and retakes, and gradebook category guidelines. The primary goal was to build at least 80% consensus on Years 1 and 2 of the implementation plan.

The final vote saw 95.3% either fully supporting or supporting with minor reservations the implementation of the Two-Year Plan.

Link to Meeting Slides

This meeting officially launched the second year of the Secondary Grading Practices Task Force. The committee reviewed the group's responsibilities, explored current research on effective grading practices, and established priorities for future learning. Participants examined Ken O'Connor's 15 Fixes for Broken Grades, identified areas for future study and building-level discussion, and began work on two key implementation priorities. The priorities were developing consistent grade range parameters and reducing the number of Skyward gradebook categories. The meeting concluded with a recommendation for a consistent scale and four grading categories.

Link to Meeting Slides

Between this meeting and the previous meeting, the full teaching staff was polled on their support of implementing consistent grade ranges and reducing Skyward categories to four. Nearly 250 teachers responded. 

• 94% of the respondents either Strongly supported or Supported with some reservations the implementation of the recommended grade ranges.
• 81.1% of the respondents either Strongly supported or Supported with some reservations the narrowing of Skyward categories to four.

The committee reviewed all feedback and discussed next steps.

Link to Meeting Slides

During this meeting, the committee revised the four Skyward categories to their current state. The committee then reviewed a district-wide professional development plan and agreed on the topics to review and learn. The topics were:

• Include only achievement; don't include student behaviors in grades
• Support learners so that they meet timelines; don't reduce marks on late assessments

Link to Meeting Slides

During this meeting, the committee reviewed the remainder of the district-wide professional development. They worked through the development of the learning that centered on supporting students to meet timelines.

Link to Meeting Slides

During this meeting, the committee reviewed survey data regarding shifting thinking around grading practices. Results showed that some teachers are shifting their approaches based on professional learning and conversations within their buildings and departments. Some common themes that came up were:

• Support for greater clarity and consistency across schools
• Many teachers have already adjusted grade practices
• Departments are increasingly discussing grading together

Major concerns raised were:

• Late work expectations and accountability
• Minimum scores and grading floors
• One-size-fits-all concerns
• Parent and student communication
• Skyward/Canvas implementation challenges

The committee discussed plans for communication, administrator responsibilities, and the changes coming for the 2026-27 school year.

Link to Meeting Slides