Matt Townsley
@mctownsley.bsky.social
K-12 educational leadership and grading author and researcher.
[opinions are my own]
[opinions are my own]
Drawing upon school and district experiences, our book identifies common barriers and provides strategies to prevent, contain, and overcome the “fires” that can derail grading reform efforts.
Sample chapter 👉 resources.firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
📕 firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
Sample chapter 👉 resources.firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
📕 firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
November 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Drawing upon school and district experiences, our book identifies common barriers and provides strategies to prevent, contain, and overcome the “fires” that can derail grading reform efforts.
Sample chapter 👉 resources.firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
📕 firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
Sample chapter 👉 resources.firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
📕 firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
Every time a new group of kids comes I put exactly one of these plastic trinkets in there. It’s an experiment to see if a kid will grab a piece of candy or the trinket. #Halloween
October 31, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Every time a new group of kids comes I put exactly one of these plastic trinkets in there. It’s an experiment to see if a kid will grab a piece of candy or the trinket. #Halloween
📢 Our 3rd annual conference is designed for administrators, teacher leaders, and building/district leadership teams who are getting started with or taking their next step with grading reform.
Save the date!
Save the date!
October 25, 2025 at 12:06 AM
📢 Our 3rd annual conference is designed for administrators, teacher leaders, and building/district leadership teams who are getting started with or taking their next step with grading reform.
Save the date!
Save the date!
Reposted by Matt Townsley
New Post: Free In-Person Class: Why FI? Financial Literacy for the Rest of Us and a Path to Financial Independence
fischfinancial.org/2025/09/12/f...
fischfinancial.org/2025/09/12/f...
Free In-Person Class: Why FI? Financial Literacy for the Rest of Us and a Path to Financial Independence
You know you need to learn more about personal finance in order to make financial decisions, but you just find it too overwhelming, too intimidating, or too time consuming. This (free!) (really!) c…
fischfinancial.org
September 12, 2025 at 7:51 PM
New Post: Free In-Person Class: Why FI? Financial Literacy for the Rest of Us and a Path to Financial Independence
fischfinancial.org/2025/09/12/f...
fischfinancial.org/2025/09/12/f...
Reposted by Matt Townsley
Are you ready to align your grading practices with your values?
Join us December 17–18 for the Alternative Grading Institute (online), which will bring together faculty from across higher education for a two-day, hands-on experience in standards-based, specifications, and collaborative grading.
Join us December 17–18 for the Alternative Grading Institute (online), which will bring together faculty from across higher education for a two-day, hands-on experience in standards-based, specifications, and collaborative grading.
Alternative Grading Institute
www.centerforgradingreform.org
September 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Are you ready to align your grading practices with your values?
Join us December 17–18 for the Alternative Grading Institute (online), which will bring together faculty from across higher education for a two-day, hands-on experience in standards-based, specifications, and collaborative grading.
Join us December 17–18 for the Alternative Grading Institute (online), which will bring together faculty from across higher education for a two-day, hands-on experience in standards-based, specifications, and collaborative grading.
Agree, Dr K
Clear is kind.
But deceptive #grading practices, like when teachers intentionally conceal the fact that HW/classwork isn't graded, are detrimental to trust & grade #integrity in the long run.
Deception shouldn't be used as a motivational strategy.
But deceptive #grading practices, like when teachers intentionally conceal the fact that HW/classwork isn't graded, are detrimental to trust & grade #integrity in the long run.
Deception shouldn't be used as a motivational strategy.
September 12, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Agree, Dr K
Michigan educators! Registration is now open:
Grading (or not grading) to support student learning. Join me in this interactive webinar on April 7, 2026.
t.co/ktXIbyrlvm
Grading (or not grading) to support student learning. Join me in this interactive webinar on April 7, 2026.
t.co/ktXIbyrlvm
https://www.michiganassessmentconsortium.org/event/grading-or-not-grading-to-support-student-learning/
t.co
September 3, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Michigan educators! Registration is now open:
Grading (or not grading) to support student learning. Join me in this interactive webinar on April 7, 2026.
t.co/ktXIbyrlvm
Grading (or not grading) to support student learning. Join me in this interactive webinar on April 7, 2026.
t.co/ktXIbyrlvm
Carson Beck for Heisman?
September 1, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Carson Beck for Heisman?
Me: "How was your day at school?"
Neighborhood kid: "Good. The only thing I don't like is phonics"
Neighborhood kid: "Good. The only thing I don't like is phonics"
August 27, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Me: "How was your day at school?"
Neighborhood kid: "Good. The only thing I don't like is phonics"
Neighborhood kid: "Good. The only thing I don't like is phonics"
Reposted by Matt Townsley
#PE teachers: Like you, I’m teaching #PhysEd & know the challenges esp a lack of relevant PD.
Want field-tested & impactful ideas on #assessment #grading & #motivation in #PhysicalEducation delivered straight to ur inbox?
Subscribe to my newsletter:l tinyurl.com/msznuhre
Want field-tested & impactful ideas on #assessment #grading & #motivation in #PhysicalEducation delivered straight to ur inbox?
Subscribe to my newsletter:l tinyurl.com/msznuhre
Join my newsletter
tinyurl.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:25 PM
#PE teachers: Like you, I’m teaching #PhysEd & know the challenges esp a lack of relevant PD.
Want field-tested & impactful ideas on #assessment #grading & #motivation in #PhysicalEducation delivered straight to ur inbox?
Subscribe to my newsletter:l tinyurl.com/msznuhre
Want field-tested & impactful ideas on #assessment #grading & #motivation in #PhysicalEducation delivered straight to ur inbox?
Subscribe to my newsletter:l tinyurl.com/msznuhre
Sadly, the research team mentioned in this @edweek.org article does not appropriately characterize equitable grading.
For example, prohibiting zeros and unlimited retakes are *not* equitable grading pillars, per Feldman's website (crescendoedgroup.org/frequently-a...)
bsky.app/profile/edwe...
For example, prohibiting zeros and unlimited retakes are *not* equitable grading pillars, per Feldman's website (crescendoedgroup.org/frequently-a...)
bsky.app/profile/edwe...
August 24, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Sadly, the research team mentioned in this @edweek.org article does not appropriately characterize equitable grading.
For example, prohibiting zeros and unlimited retakes are *not* equitable grading pillars, per Feldman's website (crescendoedgroup.org/frequently-a...)
bsky.app/profile/edwe...
For example, prohibiting zeros and unlimited retakes are *not* equitable grading pillars, per Feldman's website (crescendoedgroup.org/frequently-a...)
bsky.app/profile/edwe...
Year 8, back at it
August 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Year 8, back at it
In our 2021 study, the majority of HS students’ (61.5%) final grades were inflated when homework and employability points were included in the grade compared to grades based solely upon students’ performance on summative assessments.
🔗 www.ojed.org/JSARD/articl...
🔗 www.ojed.org/JSARD/articl...
August 9, 2025 at 5:44 PM
In our 2021 study, the majority of HS students’ (61.5%) final grades were inflated when homework and employability points were included in the grade compared to grades based solely upon students’ performance on summative assessments.
🔗 www.ojed.org/JSARD/articl...
🔗 www.ojed.org/JSARD/articl...
Featured in AASA School Administrator's *Best of 2024-25* summer issue:
"Dousing the 🔥s of Grading Reform"
🔗 www.pageturnpro.com/AASA/112547-...
"Dousing the 🔥s of Grading Reform"
🔗 www.pageturnpro.com/AASA/112547-...
July 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Featured in AASA School Administrator's *Best of 2024-25* summer issue:
"Dousing the 🔥s of Grading Reform"
🔗 www.pageturnpro.com/AASA/112547-...
"Dousing the 🔥s of Grading Reform"
🔗 www.pageturnpro.com/AASA/112547-...
When educators are not able to connect initiatives and programs, grading reform may be perceived as "one more thing".
Instead, integrate:
SBG & PLC 👉 solutiontree.com/making-grade...
SBG & SEL 👉 sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Instead, integrate:
SBG & PLC 👉 solutiontree.com/making-grade...
SBG & SEL 👉 sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
July 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
When educators are not able to connect initiatives and programs, grading reform may be perceived as "one more thing".
Instead, integrate:
SBG & PLC 👉 solutiontree.com/making-grade...
SBG & SEL 👉 sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Instead, integrate:
SBG & PLC 👉 solutiontree.com/making-grade...
SBG & SEL 👉 sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Debunking Myths of Standards-Based Grading: Addressing the concerns and providing some strategies for implementing alternative grading practices in science classrooms.
www.nsta.org/science-teac...
www.nsta.org/science-teac...
Debunking Myths of Standards-Based Grading
www.nsta.org
July 8, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Debunking Myths of Standards-Based Grading: Addressing the concerns and providing some strategies for implementing alternative grading practices in science classrooms.
www.nsta.org/science-teac...
www.nsta.org/science-teac...
Educators from around the state of Iowa (and beyond) gearing up for two years of graduate coursework and internship experiences.
Principal prep program cohort orientation today! #UNIEdLead
Principal prep program cohort orientation today! #UNIEdLead
June 30, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Educators from around the state of Iowa (and beyond) gearing up for two years of graduate coursework and internship experiences.
Principal prep program cohort orientation today! #UNIEdLead
Principal prep program cohort orientation today! #UNIEdLead
Reposted by Matt Townsley
Hot take:
Allowing retakes isn’t “soft” - it’s scientific. Mastery takes time.
Reassessment isn’t a second chance. It’s a better snapshot of learning.
#AlternativeGrading #RethinkTheGrade #EduSky
Allowing retakes isn’t “soft” - it’s scientific. Mastery takes time.
Reassessment isn’t a second chance. It’s a better snapshot of learning.
#AlternativeGrading #RethinkTheGrade #EduSky
June 26, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Hot take:
Allowing retakes isn’t “soft” - it’s scientific. Mastery takes time.
Reassessment isn’t a second chance. It’s a better snapshot of learning.
#AlternativeGrading #RethinkTheGrade #EduSky
Allowing retakes isn’t “soft” - it’s scientific. Mastery takes time.
Reassessment isn’t a second chance. It’s a better snapshot of learning.
#AlternativeGrading #RethinkTheGrade #EduSky
Dismantling myths about professional judgment and subjectivity in assessment begins with a deeper understanding of the true purpose of classroom assessment.
kappanonline.org/busting-myth...
kappanonline.org/busting-myth...
Busting myths about professional judgment and subjectivity in assessment - Kappan Online
Contrary to common beliefs, removing the human element from testing doesn’t make the results more accurate.
kappanonline.org
June 24, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Dismantling myths about professional judgment and subjectivity in assessment begins with a deeper understanding of the true purpose of classroom assessment.
kappanonline.org/busting-myth...
kappanonline.org/busting-myth...
Reposted by Matt Townsley
NEW: Navigating (another) reading crisis as an administrator: Rethinking the “science of reading” movement (JSARD) radicalscholarship.com/2025/05/28/n...
NEW: Navigating (another) reading crisis as an administrator: Rethinking the “science of reading” movement (JSARD)
Thomas, P.L. (TBD). Navigating (another) reading crisis as an administrator: Rethinking the “science of reading” movement. Journal of School Administration, Research and Development. Vol. 10 No. 1 …
radicalscholarship.com
June 24, 2025 at 11:13 AM
NEW: Navigating (another) reading crisis as an administrator: Rethinking the “science of reading” movement (JSARD) radicalscholarship.com/2025/05/28/n...
Another Iowa educational leader, one step closer to the doctoral degree finish line today with a successful proposal defense! #UNIEdLead
June 23, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Another Iowa educational leader, one step closer to the doctoral degree finish line today with a successful proposal defense! #UNIEdLead
Based on real school experiences, our book highlights common barriers to grading reform and offers practical strategies to prevent, contain, and overcome the 🔥 that can derail the process.
🔗 www.firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
🔗 www.firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
June 22, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Based on real school experiences, our book highlights common barriers to grading reform and offers practical strategies to prevent, contain, and overcome the 🔥 that can derail the process.
🔗 www.firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
🔗 www.firsteducation-us.com/extinguishin...
Discover a clear road map for implementing a standards-based grading system at the secondary level.
On sale right now for $29.99 + free Prime shipping.
a.co/d/6sAHOyf
On sale right now for $29.99 + free Prime shipping.
a.co/d/6sAHOyf
June 20, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Discover a clear road map for implementing a standards-based grading system at the secondary level.
On sale right now for $29.99 + free Prime shipping.
a.co/d/6sAHOyf
On sale right now for $29.99 + free Prime shipping.
a.co/d/6sAHOyf