The Future of Grading

During the Spring Semester 2020, almost every institution in the United States instituted an alternative grade mode in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in recognition that students were not operating under ideal learning conditions (and truth be told, instructors were not operating under ideal teaching conditions either). Much has been written about this shift, and whether the long-term effects on learning and on grade policy changes during the pandemic will be helpful or harmful. The enterprise of U.S. higher education persists, so adopting a version of pass/fail didn't destroy everything.

As you've seen, grades have evolved and grading continues to evolve. So what will grading look like in the future? Two options that are gaining traction are Contract Grading and Ungrading.