Un-Grading Structure

Research has found that traditional letter grades create restricting parameters that limit how creative students can be, instill fear about making mistakes, and perpetuate inequalities. For these reasons, this course will use alternative grading systems that allow you to make mistakes, encourage you to take risks, critically reflect on what you have learned, and document your progress in the course. 

We have created a grading system that utilizes the principles of “ungrading” and the structure of “specifications grading.” This grading system will incorporate self-directed goal planning and focus on offering frequent feedback. You will have opportunities to incorporate feedback and resubmit without worrying about grade deductions or perfecting an assignment on the first try. 

However, because we have to enter a letter grade at the end of the term we will use the following grading system to accomplish this. The system is structured in three assignment branches with several cumulative assignments within each branch. You will have clear guidelines on how to achieve full credit for each assignment and how many assignments you need to complete in order to achieve the grade you want. 

To help document your progress, feel free to make a copy of this assignment tracker and complete it as you submit your assignments. 

There are no descriptions for “D” or “F” grades because they represent a critical breakdown in communication and agreed expectations which we hope to avoid as instructors. If necessary, a “D” grade will encompass a student’s attempt to achieve at least one of the assignments in each assignment branch within the “C” level. An “F” grade means none of the assignments have been completed. If we feel that students might not meet the “C” category, we will check-in to discuss how to meet the requirements for this level.