On Your Mark: Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting (A book for K-12 assessment policies and practices) (Essentials for Principals)

Thomas Guskey poses a very important and provocative question: With all that we have learned about education over the past hundred years, why have grading and reporting continued essentially unchanged? In response to this question, this book provides a "call to arms" for exploring the challenges of traditional grading and reporting practices. Guskey explains each challenge in depth, offers possible solutions supported by current research, and outlines specific steps for thinking and talking about these salient issues. Thinking and talking, however, are not enough. Guskey concludes with a plea for bold action and courageous leadership to do what is right for students. I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about students and their learning. It tackles the highly controversial and emotional topic of grading with clarity, practicality, and heart.

When it comes to education there is perhaps no practice more sacred to teachers, yet so poorly supported by research, then traditional grading. Dr. Guskey, former student of Benjamin Bloom, does a thorough job discussing research-based best practices in grading. Guskey lays out problems with "we've always done it this way" grading philosophy and offers practical solutions. Grading reform is not the newest flavor of the month, popular today and forgotten tomorrow, but rather the next step in progressing fair, equitable and rigorous education for all. Every teacher, parent, administrator, school board member, and citizen interested in education needs to carefully read this book. But beware; woe to those who know the right thing to do and do it not. Change is not easy or always popular.

On Your Mark is the best book that I have read on grading and reporting. I particularly like the way Tom Guskey starts each chapter by recognizing the traditional grading beliefs and then challenges those beliefs with research informed- practices. Grades are such a hot topic in schools today. Teachers, students, and parents need to be partners in the grading process. However, as Guskey points out without a common understanding of the purpose and vision of grading, it is difficult to determine the most appropriate information to include in a report card. I believe this book will help to minimize some of the emotion around grading practices, so that these important decisions can be made.

In this era of standards-based learning, Guskey helps teachers, schools, and districts move beyond traditional grading practices with a framework which guides both reflection about the purposes of grades, and a realistic action plan to fairer and more accurate ways to report student learning. He challenges readers to put aside the status quo and examine research-based strategies that better support more rigorous academic performance. Whether you are the student, parent, or teacher, you want grades to be truly reflective of what's been learned, and this book provides the guidance to make this happen.

So many other books you can read on sbg, with virtually the same info, except they credit other authors and studies (including Guskey!) Guskey CONTINUOUSLY references himself in this book! It's pretty annoying. I have read 3 other books (purchased through amazon) with more information and better examples. I can say this, though: it is possible that I am biased BECAUSE I have already read so many books saying the same things...

I am a new teacher who has struggled with grading. Reading this book and “Get set, go!” has helped me understand what to do better.

One of the top three education books I’ve ever read. I can not recommend this book enough! You must be willing to read it with an open mind because it will challenge your thinking in a good way.

I thought most of this book was a waste of time to read. Common sense should help teachers figure out good grading policies. There were a couple of good take-aways from this book, but that’s it. If your district asks you to read it, ask the administrator in charge if they have. If they still ask you to read it, perhaps they need to go back into the classroom and live in the teaching world again.