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Grading Reform Without Tears

Over five engaging sessions, teachers and staff master practical and low-stress ways to implement effective grading practices.

Instructor: Dr. Douglas Reeves

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dr. doug reeves

Overview

Despite decades of research on the importance of K-12 grading reform, the vast majority of these efforts inevitably fail. The result is more stress for teachers and poor outcomes for students.

As K-12 schools and teachers and staff work to close historic learning gaps, the need for an effective grading system, one that meets students where they are and positions them for the future, is more important than ever. The last thing school leaders need is another moral imperative to improve student performance; rather, they need a system to help achieve this goal.

This unique (5)-part cohort-based learning experience was designed to help school leaders and their teams close the gap between theory and practice in grading reform, giving them immediate access to proven results, including practical and low-stress ways to implement effective grading practices in their schools, starting as early as this school year. Each session is interactive, including breakouts, side-chats, and “2-minute drills” designed for immediate reaction and reflection.

dr. doug reeves

Meet Your Instructor

Dr. Douglas Reeves is the author of more than 40 books and more than 100 articles on leadership and education. He has twice been named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series and was named the Brock International Laureate for his contributions to education. His career of work in professional learning led to the Contribution to the Field Award from the National Staff Development Council, now Learning Forward.

Doug has worked in 50 states and more than 40 countries. His volunteer activities include FinishTheDissertation.org, providing free and non-commercial support for doctoral students, and The SNAFU Review, publishing the essays, poetry, stories, and artwork of disabled veterans. Doug lives with his family in downtown Boston.

The Experience

Here’s what to expect when you, or members of your team, sign up for this collaborative workshop about grading reform with veteran educator and author Dr. Douglas Reeves.

Live practical learning sessions

A series of five collaborative sessions designed to deliver proven and practical strategies for grading reform.

Interactive conversations

Each interactive session includes breakouts, side-chats, and a series of “2-minute drills” for immediate reaction and reflection.

Plus, relevant readings for each topic

Participants will receive the slides after each session and other articles and research via email.

Available ‘Office Hours’

In addition to the (5) live 90-min. learning sessions, all participants will be invited to participate in voluntary “office hours,” where they can ask questions and seek advice from Dr. Reeves.

The Outcomes

Now more than ever, schools need high-impact practices that are good for students, practical for teachers and helpful to their communities. The five sessions of this cohort will help districts think through and implement the following:

  • Practices to reduce the D/F rate in one semester with more accurate and fair grading practices
  • Strategies to reduce feelings of frustration, hopelessness, and despair among students in favor of improved discipline, climate, and culture
  • Stronger faculty morale with more electives through fewer sections of repeaters
  • Trusting and effective community relationships with fewer dropouts and failures

What Educators Are Saying...

“Folks left energized with a vision for engaging in productive inquiry, which is everything I could have hoped for and more.”

Jim B.

“I appreciate the engagement and the use of relevant resources that will help guide our change work. Also, appreciate Dr. Reeves’ being so accessible and his approach to on-going professional development. Before this session I was feeling hopeless and unsure of where to start with a few failed initiatives.”

School Principal

“What a fantastic day with Dr. Reeves! To be that engaged for an entire day…fantastic. I can tell that he has walked this walk for some time and genuinely cares about what happens in our classrooms.”

Tamasha J.

The Sessions

Session #1

Why Fair and Accurate Grading is Good for Students, Teachers, and Communities

Session #2

How to Avoid Grading Reform Failures

Session #3

Keep It Simple: Two High-Impact Grading Reform Practices

Session #4

Grading Reform in Action: Practical Application of Effective Practices

Session #5

How to Launch and Sustain Effective Grading Practices in Your Schools

The Investment

Individual

$695

per person

Slides & relevant readings for each session

Interactive conversations

Access to (5) 90-min. sessions

Optional group “office hours” w/Dr. Reeves

Register now

Team of 5

$645

per person

Slides & relevant readings for each session

Interactive conversations

Access to (5) 90-min. sessions

Optional group “office hours” w/Dr. Reeves

Register now

Team of 10

$600

per person

Slides & relevant readings for each session

Interactive conversations

Access to (5) 90-min. sessions

Optional group “office hours” w/Dr. Reeves

Register now

Get Notified

Fill out the form below to be one of the first notified when new cohort dates are announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Grading Reform Without Tears Cohort — and how can it help?

Created by longtime education coach and author Dr. Douglas Reeves, Grading Reform Without Tears is a (5)-session (90 minutes each) collaborative professional-learning experience created to help school leaders and their teams close the gap between theory and practice in grading reform. It gives educators and administrators access to immediate, proven results, including practical and low-stress ways to implement effective practices in their schools, starting as early as this school year. Each session is interactive, including breakouts, side-chats, and “2-minute drills” designed for immediate reaction and reflection.

Why do this as part of a cohort?

The RocketPD cohort experience is designed to give school district leaders an actionable, affordable and convenient way to facilitate difficult but necessary strategic conversations initiatives at a time when schools and school communities face both intense initiative fatigue and competing distractions. Districts can register select members of their building or central-office teams for open cohorts.

What’s included in this program?

Delivered over three months, the program includes (5) scheduled structured learning conversations and a series of optional scheduled small-group “office hours” style workshops, where participants can ask questions, collaborate and share ideas.

Who should participate?

Grading Reform Without Tears is geared toward individuals and school teams and features practical and applicable content for chief academic officers, department heads, building principals and classroom teachers. Participants emerge with practical and proven strategies to reform outdated and ineffective grading practices in their schools.

How will this help my team?

The RocketPD cohort experience provides a unique opportunity for school district leadership and their staff teams to have candid conversations with a nationally recognized expert on K-12 leadership and grading reform. Unlike one-off seminars and keynote speeches, the cohort provides a clear opportunity for sustained development and the basis for a framework that school leaders can use to create stronger, more supportive environments for sustainable success.

What is the schedule?

This (5)-session cohort based experience will occur over (3) months, starting in February and ending in April. For the full schedule, including dates and times, please see the Sessions & Schedule section above. If you want to participate in this cohort, but the dates and times posted above do not work for your schedule and you have a large team (15 or more), reach out using the form below to inquire about the formation of a custom cohort for your district.

How can I participate?

If you’re interested in joining the next Grading Reform Without Tears cohort, save your spot now by following the button on this page. Once you sign up, you’ll receive more information about the program, including payment and invoicing details. You’ll also receive a detailed follow-up email with information about your cohort, including scheduled session dates and times. Should you have questions at any time throughout the process, you’ll receive the phone and email of our project coordinator to ensure a positive experience.

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