Grades are bad or just how we define them?

I would like to challenge the idea that grades are bad. I don't believe that grades themselves are bad. Rather it's the way they are used and interpreted. Grades need to be redefined.

Currently and historically, grades have been used as an end result. This makes them scary! People see grades as a label for how smart they are and this makes grades feed the fixed mindset. This understanding of grades has a terribly detrimental affect on students.

Grades should be a way we monitor growth and we need this. When I say, "We need this," I'm not just referring to educators. The students need this too! They should be able to see their scores so they can understand where they need to improve and set goals. This includes elementary students. The challenge is to teach kids and families to not fear grades but use them as motivation to grow and reason to celebrate. This is not easy but can be so powerful!

Now the trick is how do we help students (and families) interpret grades? How do we change the way grades are seen? How do we lower anxiety? There are so many ideas out there! Please share!

*Have monthly parent nights at school to discuss these topics.
*Have students track their scores and find ways to share in the celebration of growth! If students are not making growth, talk with that student and figure out together why that is. Then celebrate the heck out of it when he/she does improve!
*Remind students and parents as often as you can that grades are not the end all! They just show progression in learning.
*Make sure that you teach in a "spiral" type method so students do have a chance to improve after tests are scored. After all, if you do believe that grades should help monitor growth rather than be an end result, you better make sure your actions support it!