More on zeros

After a post on not using zeros in grading a reader questioned:

Just wondering if you've made any inroads with the administration or other teachers on this topic--particularly with regard to the after school policy.

Nearly 3 years after bringing the research on zeros to teachers there has a been a very good response to the idea. I wouldn't say that there has been a halt to the use of zeros but teachers are more conscious of why they might still give them.

The biggest progress has been made in the area of grading behavior. Teachers have quickly understood that there can be a difference between grading behavior and grading achievement v. a standard. The idea of not grading behavior or at least making it a separate grade has gained a lot of traction.

As far as the idea of a unified policy on staying after school for not turning in work--there is little progress. We are working so much on the things that come before a grading policy that we can all agree on that we won't be at this point for a while.