Study FIndings

Gradebook Impact Study Findings and Recommendations

The data and stories tell us that the impact of the gradebook is unique to each student consisting of different values, stressors, and distractors. What is also clear from the students is that the gradebook impact is a symptom not the issue. The issue is the heavy societal emphasis on grades, the pressures of success linked to grades, and the highly competitive world in which they live today.

To that end, merely removing the gradebook for even part of the day does not address these larger issues. It is also clear that for every student this benefits in terms of distraction and stress, the opposite occurs for another student. In fact, during the school day, students seem to find the most value in having access for various reasons: assignments notebook, review of needs, conversations with teachers, and peace of mind.

One area, however, that does appear to be problematic is the push notifications of the mobile app. In years past, students actively sought the gradebook and understood the choice. With the mobile app emerging last year, the gradebook was pushed to students and parents via notifications. This is a form of distraction that impacts the learning environment and is a source of stress for some students including mentions in focus groups about “the stress of the trending arrows”.

Taking into account the full spectrum of the story, the following are recommendations:

1. maintain full Gradebook access for students and parents via a direct login (past practice since PowerSchool adoption)
2. turn off the mobile app starting next academic year (students can go see their grades on any device but the push at you experience via the mobile app would be removed)
3. continue actionable discussions on the larger issue of wellness and citizenship (e.g. grades, distraction, stress, and mindfulness)