The Grading Podcast

By Sharona Krinsky and Robert Bosley

Grading is an extremely important and largely unexamined piece of the classroom puzzle. In this weekly podcast, Sharona Krinsky and Robert Bosley, two long time classroom instructors from the K-12 and... more

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FAQs about The Grading Podcast:

How many episodes does The Grading Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 112 episodes available.

The Grading Podcast episodes:

August 26, 2025111 - Getting Unstuck from the Grade Wrap-Up: The Importance of Purpose Redux
In this episode, Sharona and Boz look at another common area where instructors get stuck when redesigning a course to use alternative grading - the fourth decision of the grading architecture: wrapping up into a final grade. From too many choices to the issues with complexity, Sharona and Boz breaks things down and provide concrete ideas when looking at that final part of the grading architecture.
Links
Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!
5 – Getting Started Part 3: Developing your Grading Architecture
30 – Listener Request – A Deep Dive into the Weeds of our Grading Architecture
80: The Results are IN! Traditional Grading and Alternative Grading Went HEAD TO HEAD!!! What happened?
88 – Unearned Grades: Remaking the Conversation about Grade “Inflation”
97 – Distinguishing Different Letter Grades: The Three Hurdles Model

Resources
The Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.
The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.
Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:
The Grading for Growth Blog
The Grading Conference
The Intentional Academia Blog

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:
Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.
If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.
All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Music
Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
...more
55min
August 19, 2025110 - Developing Your Assessments Through the Lens of Competencies, with Camp from NEIA
In this episode, Sharona and Boz speak with Camp (Dr. John Camp), the head of teaching and Learning at NEIA, the New England Innovation Academy. NEIA is an Independent day and boarding school in Massachusetts. NEIA's mission is to prepare the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and shape. In this episode, Camp shares with Sharona and Boz how NEIA uses alternative grading practices to break out of the constrictions of traditional grading and support their core principles of innovation and entrepreneurship by constructing authentic learning both inside and outside of the classroom.
Key to their implementation is using their school wide "competencies" as the guideposts for developing their assessments. Join us to explore the details of how school wide competencies can provide the design guideposts for discipline based assessents from Math to Science to the Humanities and beyond.
Camp Bio
Camp is Head of Teaching & Learning at NEIA. He oversees the development of systems to recruit, hire, support, and evaluate teachers and helps teachers develop and implement the curriculum. He's been a leader and a teacher at a variety of schools throughout his 29-year career: boarding, day, single-sex and college. His experience includes English and writing classes as well as interdisciplinary courses such as “The Art and Physics of Time Travel.” At St. Mark’s School, which bestowed him with The Trustees Chair and the Kidder Faculty Prize, Camp served as the Director of Experiential Learning and Associate Director of The Center of Innovation in Teaching and Learning. A pair of his pedagogical mantras include, “I aim to teach what cannot be Googled” and “I expect you to work hard, so I work hard.”
Links
Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!
New England Innovation Academy
Competency-Based Grading at NEIA
OTUS Gradebook

Resources
The Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.
The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.
Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:
The Grading for Growth Blog
The Grading Conference
The Intentional Academia Blog

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:
Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.
If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.
All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Music
Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
...more
59min
August 12, 2025109 - Live from MathFest 2025: Trends, thoughts, and directions
Sharona sits down with MathFest 2025 attendees Drew Lewis, Jennifer Moorehouse, Lipika Deka, Jennifer Narang, and Cory Wilson to discuss what we heard on the ground at this year's conference. From people presenting their experiences to a variety of data and forward looking opportunities, Alt Grading is making the switch to mainstream!
Links
Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!
21 – Alt Grading in Large Chemistry Classes: An Interview with Dr. Eden Tanner

Resources
The Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.
The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.
Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:
The Grading for Growth Blog
The Grading Conference
The Intentional Academia Blog

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:
Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.
If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.
All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Music
Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
...more
52min
August 05, 2025108 - The Importance of Purpose: Getting Unstuck in the Course Redesign Cycle
In this episode of The Grading Podcast, Sharona and Boz talk about some common reasons instructors get stuck during the process of redesigning a course. From looking again at the different parts of the course redesign cycle to exploring ways of breaking through roadblocks, join us as we take another look at the course redesign cycle. In particular, they talk about the importance of clearly defining the purpose of our course, and how that purpose impacts all aspects of your course design.
Links
Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!
The Course Redesign Cycle
Episode 101 - Visionary Leadership: Culture Change Through Asking Questions

Resources
The Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.
The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.
Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:
The Grading for Growth Blog
The Grading Conference
The Intentional Academia Blog

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:
Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.
If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.
All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Music
Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
...more
56min
August 01, 2025107 - Transitioning to Alternative Grading Can Take Time to Be Successful: The Importance of Longer Term Metrics
In this episode, Sharona and Boz explore a recent article from EdWeek in which a middle school principal shares the motivations behind a switch to standards-based grading as well as the initial failures and eventual successes of that move. Join us as we talk about the tension between short term and long term results, the "why" of the switch to alternative grading practices, and the challenges with proper measurement both inside the classroom and outside of it.
Links
Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!
Resources
The Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.
The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.
Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:
The Grading for Growth Blog
The Grading Conference
The Intentional Academia Blog

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:
Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.
If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.
All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Music
Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
...more
56min
July 22, 2025106 - Reflecting on a six-week summer course with Dr. Robert Talbert.
In this episode, Dr. Robert Talbert returns to the pod to reflect on how his six-week summer course in discrete math went. Robert talked about this course back on episode 87 when discussing changes he was making to this course due to the impact of AI. In this conversation, Sharona and Boz discuss how it went, how the various changes worked (or didn't) and what he might keep or change moving forward.
Links
Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!
Alternatively Graded Discrete Math in Hyperdrive, from the Grading for Growth Blog
Alternative Grading in a Test-Forward Environment, from the Grading for Growth Blog
20 Small Steps to an Intentional Summer, from the Intentional Academia Blog

Resources
The Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.
The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.
Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:
The Grading for Growth Blog
The Grading Conference
The Intentional Academia Blog

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:
Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.
If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.
All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Music
Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
...more
1h
July 15, 2025105 - Is Alternative Grading at a Tipping Point?
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley explore the ideas from Malcolm Gladwell's iconic book The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. During the discussion, they explore the key indicators of a tipping point and discuss how we as a community might try to intentionally move towards a tipping point into mass awareness and (hopefully) adoption.
Links
Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell

Resources
The Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.
The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.
Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:
The Grading for Growth Blog
The Grading Conference
The Intentional Academia Blog

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:
Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.
If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.
All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Music
Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
...more
55min
July 08, 2025104: Ideas and Recommendations for Iterating Through the Course Redesign Cycle
It's Summertime! And how to teachers and instructors often spend their summers? Why, reworking their courses, correct? In this episode, Sharona and Boz share their thoughts, ideas, and recommendations for working through the course redesign cycle and iteratively examining your course. Whether you are newer to alt grading or have been doing it a long time, this episode contains questions and ideas to work on your course for the upcoming school year!
Links
Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!
The Course Redesign Cycle
Interview with Doug Wilson, Episode 101
Twenty+ Small Steps to Get Started, Episode 38

Resources
The Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.
The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.
Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:
The Grading for Growth Blog
The Grading Conference
The Intentional Academia Blog

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:
Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.
If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.
All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Music
Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
...more
49min
July 01, 2025103 - Themes and Lessons from the 2025 Grading Conference
In this episode, Sharona and Boz recap some of the incredible things that happened at the 2025 Grading Conference. Highlights from the keynote speakers, student voices, and conversations around the "watercooler". This conference was an incredible capstone to a fantastic year for alternative grading.
Links
Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!
Dr. Asao Inoue on episode 99
Dr. Eden Tanner on episode 21
Dr. Jeff Anderson on: Episode 55 and Episode 56
Jeff Anderson's Resources: Keynote from the 2025 Grading Conference

Resources
The Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.
The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.
Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:
The Grading for Growth Blog
The Grading Conference
The Intentional Academia Blog

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:
Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.
If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.
All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Music
Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
...more
58min
June 24, 2025102 - Critical Digital Pedagogy: Thinking Critically About Grading, AI and How We Decide to Do What We Do, An Interview with Dr. Sean Michael Morriss
In this episode, Sharona and Bosley sit down for a conversation with Dr. Sean Michael Morris to talk about Critical Digital Pedagogy. What is it? How can we think critically about our grading practices? How do we think critically about AI and it's impact on our grading choices?
Links
Please note - any books linked here are likely Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support!
https://www.seanmichaelmorris.com/
Critical Digital Pedagogy - What Is It?

Resources
The Center for Grading Reform - seeking to advance education in the United States by supporting effective grading reform at all levels through conferences, educational workshops, professional development, research and scholarship, influencing public policy, and community building.
The Grading Conference - an annual, online conference exploring Alternative Grading in Higher Education & K-12.
Some great resources to educate yourself about Alternative Grading:
The Grading for Growth Blog
The Grading Conference
The Intentional Academia Blog

Recommended Books on Alternative Grading:
Grading for Growth, by Robert Talbert and David Clark
Specifications Grading, by Linda Nilsen
Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Follow us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram - @thegradingpod. To leave us a comment, please go to our website: www.thegradingpod.com and leave a comment on this episode's page.
If you would like to be considered to be a guest on this show, please reach out using the Contact Us form on our website, www.thegradingpod.com.
All content of this podcast and website are solely the opinions of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views of California State University Los Angeles or the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Music
Country Rock performed by Lite Saturation, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
...more
54min

FAQs about The Grading Podcast:

How many episodes does The Grading Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 112 episodes available.

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