Actually changing the culture around learning
The problem
The whole point is to create a culture where we're talking about learning instead of grades or qualifications.
But sometimes schools change the grading system without really making that mindset shift.
I've seen what happens when it works. I helped start a school where I was a founding math teacher, and students would come up asking questions about their learning.
Things like, "I haven't quite mastered this idea yet. How can I study it?"
That's a completely different conversation than "What do I need to do to get an A?"
And getting to that place is part of the how.
— from the sideby team's own observations
How educators have handled it
Different schools, different approaches. None of these is the one right answer.
No stories here yet.
Somebody out there has figured this one out — or at least tried something worth hearing about. It could be you.
Have you figured something out?
Have you found a way to make this work? Other educators would love to hear about it.
Share what workedSometimes the best way to solve a problem is to talk to someone who's already worked through it.
Related challenges
Athletic eligibility
“At the beginning of the semester, kids might have all ones. And that's exactly where they're supposed to be! They haven't learned the stuff yet. But it looks bad.”
GPA translation
“At some point, you've got to figure out how your proficiency scores translate into a GPA.”
What does a 1, 2, 3, or 4 actually mean?
“A 3 is mastery. Not almost mastery. Not pretty good. Mastery. Getting everyone aligned is a big part of the how.”