Spring 2023 Book Circle: 

Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead)

Edited by Susan D. Blum. West Virginia University Press (2020) 

Each semester, the Teaching With Writing program provides opportunities for small groups of faculty and instructors to address topics of interest through a book study. For Spring 2023, Matt Luskey will lead a discussion on Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead). 


“In Ungrading, fifteen educators write about their diverse experiences going gradeless. Some contributors are new to the practice and some have been engaging in it for decades. Some are in humanities and social sciences, some in STEM fields. Some are in higher education, but some are the K–12 pioneers who led the way. Based on rigorous and replicated research, this is the first book to show why and how faculty who wish to focus on learning, rather than sorting or judging, might proceed. It includes honest reflection on what makes ungrading challenging, and testimonials about what makes it transformative.” (Summary from the UMN Library Online Access Page)


This is a guilt-free book circle. No reading quizzes will be assigned! We will meet four times virtually over the semester. Registered participants will receive a Google calendar invite with a Zoom link and are welcome to attend either the Monday afternoon or Thursday morning sessions that fit their schedule. 


Discussion Session 1: Introductory Sections


Discussion Session 2: Part 1: Foundations and Models


Discussion Session 3: Part II: Practices


Discussion Session 4: Part III: Reflections and Conclusion


A digital copy of the book is available through the University of Minnesota library. A printed version is available from West Virginia University Press and your favorite local bookstore.


Facilitator: Matthew Luskey (Assistant Director, Writing Across the Curriculum)

Audience: Faculty members, instructors, and graduate students


Registration closed.