Contract Grading

Contract grading, sometimes referred to as "labor-based grading," is a process that is similar to portfolio assessment. The goal is for the student to become more effective in the long term by engaging deeply in processes, rather than focusing on turning in a perfect assignment to earn an “A.”

Instructors who use contract grading make prioritizing process over product more explicit than in traditionally graded classes, and some will even base the entire course grade on the student's engagement with the process and the work they put into the course. (Hence, labor-based.)

In "Making the Pitch for Contract Grading," faculty at Old Dominion University explain contract grading in the following way:

"Student labor generally includes homework, in-class work and discussion (or discussion posts), individual or group projects as well as drafts and revisions, and perhaps extracurricular assignments such as attending a guest lecture offered by the University. Students can review the course syllabus and assignments and determine how they will fare in the class by understanding that their grade is tied to their labor. They then agree to complete the work based on the grade they seek."

Some of the benefits of contract grading are illustrated in the infographic produced by Dr. Traci Gardner of Virginia Tech.