Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

Tag: Alternative Grading

Conversation Hours: Advanced Alternative Grading

Register here | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

Already using some form of alternative grading in your courses? Join colleagues who are actively implementing alternative grading practices — not to learn the basics, but to share what’s working, troubleshoot challenges, and think through new ideas together. We will meet via Zoom every 3rd Monday at 2pm (dates below).

Even if you cannot attend all of the meetings, feel free to register for each occurrence as it fits your schedule; you must register for each separate event. This group is focused on discussion and sharing, and participants will have the opportunity to bring examples from your own courses to share and get feedback on. We will not have a set list of readings, but will focus on a different question or theme for each meeting, in addition to whatever topics participants would like to address.

Contact Breana Bayraktar ([email protected]) with any questions!

Meeting Dates & Tentative Themes
Sept 14: Starting lines — How did you introduce your grading system to students this semester?
Oct 5: First feedback cycles — What’s working in your early rounds of feedback or reassessment, and what?
Oct 26: Resistance and confusion — How do you handle students who push back or misunderstand your approach?
Nov 16: Keeping momentum — How do you sustain student engagement with alt grading as end-of-semester pressure kicks in?
Dec 7: Institutional realities — How do you navigate final grades, incompletes, and systems that weren’t built for what we do?
Jan 11: One thing I’m changing — Based on last semester, what are you iterating on and why?
Feb 1: Revision and reassessment policies — What rules govern redos in your course, and how are they holding up?
Feb 22: Equity and access — Where do you see alt grading advancing equity — and where does it fall short?
Mar 15: Mid-spring check-in — What are you noticing right now about student learning, motivation, and stress?
Apr 5: The hard conversations — How do you talk to students about where they stand before the final stretch?
Apr 26: End-of-course practices — What does closure look like in an alt-graded course?
May 17: Year in review — What worked, what didn’t, and what are you still trying to figure out?

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Conversation Hours: Advanced Alternative Grading

Register here | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

Already using some form of alternative grading in your courses? Join colleagues who are actively implementing alternative grading practices — not to learn the basics, but to share what’s working, troubleshoot challenges, and think through new ideas together. We will meet via Zoom every 3rd Monday at 2pm (dates below).

Even if you cannot attend all of the meetings, feel free to register for each occurrence as it fits your schedule; you must register for each separate event. This group is focused on discussion and sharing, and participants will have the opportunity to bring examples from your own courses to share and get feedback on. We will not have a set list of readings, but will focus on a different question or theme for each meeting, in addition to whatever topics participants would like to address.

Contact Breana Bayraktar ([email protected]) with any questions!

Meeting Dates & Tentative Themes
Sept 14: Starting lines — How did you introduce your grading system to students this semester?
Oct 5: First feedback cycles — What’s working in your early rounds of feedback or reassessment, and what?
Oct 26: Resistance and confusion — How do you handle students who push back or misunderstand your approach?
Nov 16: Keeping momentum — How do you sustain student engagement with alt grading as end-of-semester pressure kicks in?
Dec 7: Institutional realities — How do you navigate final grades, incompletes, and systems that weren’t built for what we do?
Jan 11: One thing I’m changing — Based on last semester, what are you iterating on and why?
Feb 1: Revision and reassessment policies — What rules govern redos in your course, and how are they holding up?
Feb 22: Equity and access — Where do you see alt grading advancing equity — and where does it fall short?
Mar 15: Mid-spring check-in — What are you noticing right now about student learning, motivation, and stress?
Apr 5: The hard conversations — How do you talk to students about where they stand before the final stretch?
Apr 26: End-of-course practices — What does closure look like in an alt-graded course?
May 17: Year in review — What worked, what didn’t, and what are you still trying to figure out?

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Conversation Hours: Advanced Alternative Grading

Register here | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

Already using some form of alternative grading in your courses? Join colleagues who are actively implementing alternative grading practices — not to learn the basics, but to share what’s working, troubleshoot challenges, and think through new ideas together. We will meet via Zoom every 3rd Monday at 2pm (dates below).

Even if you cannot attend all of the meetings, feel free to register for each occurrence as it fits your schedule; you must register for each separate event. This group is focused on discussion and sharing, and participants will have the opportunity to bring examples from your own courses to share and get feedback on. We will not have a set list of readings, but will focus on a different question or theme for each meeting, in addition to whatever topics participants would like to address.

Contact Breana Bayraktar ([email protected]) with any questions!

Meeting Dates & Tentative Themes
Sept 14: Starting lines — How did you introduce your grading system to students this semester?
Oct 5: First feedback cycles — What’s working in your early rounds of feedback or reassessment, and what?
Oct 26: Resistance and confusion — How do you handle students who push back or misunderstand your approach?
Nov 16: Keeping momentum — How do you sustain student engagement with alt grading as end-of-semester pressure kicks in?
Dec 7: Institutional realities — How do you navigate final grades, incompletes, and systems that weren’t built for what we do?
Jan 11: One thing I’m changing — Based on last semester, what are you iterating on and why?
Feb 1: Revision and reassessment policies — What rules govern redos in your course, and how are they holding up?
Feb 22: Equity and access — Where do you see alt grading advancing equity — and where does it fall short?
Mar 15: Mid-spring check-in — What are you noticing right now about student learning, motivation, and stress?
Apr 5: The hard conversations — How do you talk to students about where they stand before the final stretch?
Apr 26: End-of-course practices — What does closure look like in an alt-graded course?
May 17: Year in review — What worked, what didn’t, and what are you still trying to figure out?

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Pre-ITL Workshop: Rethinking Academic Integrity in the Age of AI Through Alternative Assessment

Register here | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

AI detection tools are inaccurate, biased, and not an effective solution to concerns about academic integrity. The real solution isn’t better surveillance, it’s removing the conditions that make cheating feel worth it in the first place. This workshop will help you explore how alternative grading schemes can support authentic work and academic integrity.

This event is part of our pre-ITL conference workshop series; however, attendance at ITL is not required.

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Workshop: Introduction to Alternative Grading

Canceled Register here | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

This introductory workshop provides a clear overview of alternative grading and its most common approaches, including specifications grading, mastery-based grading, and labor-based models. Participants will explore the core principles that distinguish these approaches from traditional grading and consider how they impact student learning, motivation, and equity. The session is designed as a foundation for instructors who are new to alternative grading or who want a structured entry point before engaging in more in-depth design work. By the end, participants will understand key models, common challenges, and how to begin preparing for implementing alternative grading in their own courses. Open to all instructors and graduate students.

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Workshop: Introduction to Alternative Grading

Register here | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

This introductory workshop provides a clear overview of alternative grading and its most common approaches, including specifications grading, mastery-based grading, and labor-based models. Participants will explore the core principles that distinguish these approaches from traditional grading and consider how they impact student learning, motivation, and equity. The session is designed as a foundation for instructors who are new to alternative grading or who want a structured entry point before engaging in more in-depth design work. By the end, participants will understand key models, common challenges, and how to begin preparing for implementing alternative grading in their own courses. Open to all instructors and graduate students.

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Alternative Grading Design Studio: Part 2 Online Option

Register here | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

Alternative Grading Design Studio
OPTION 1: Friday, May 22 | 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | in-person – Innovation Hall 427
OPTION 2: Monday, June 1-Thursday, June 4 | 1:00-2:30 p.m. | via Zoom

This hands-on design workshop moves beyond theory to implementation. Participants will develop a practical alternative grading approach through structured design, feedback, and revision. By the end, you will have a clear, testable system you can use immediately, along with strategies to communicate it effectively to students. Attend either the one-day, on-campus workshop on May 22 (with snacks!), or the 4-day online workshop June 1-4. Both options will prepare you for the Design Charrette.

Alternative Grading “Share & Tell” Design Charrette
Friday, June 5 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | in-person on the NOVA Annandale Campus
This opportunity is designed for participants to share their alternative grading materials in a structured environment with other faculty. All participants will submit materials in advance to the workshop facilitators (e.g. Course Policies, Grading Contract, Assessment) and plan to share feedback with others during the event. The “share & tell” will be an interactive, engaging, collaborative experience. Free parking and lunch will be provided.

If you attend both a design studio and the charrette, and complete a short post-event survey, you will be eligible for a $50 Amazon gift card!

Open to all instructors and graduate students. Please reach out to Breana Bayraktar ([email protected]) with any questions.

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Deadline: Alternative Grading Design Studio: Part 1 In-person Option

Register here by May 8 | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

Alternative Grading Design Studio
OPTION 1: Friday, May 22 | 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | in-person – Innovation Hall 427 | Register by May 8
OPTION 2: Monday, June 1-Thursday, June 4 | 1:00-2:30 p.m. | via Zoom

This hands-on design workshop moves beyond theory to implementation. Participants will develop a practical alternative grading approach through structured design, feedback, and revision. By the end, you will have a clear, testable system you can use immediately, along with strategies to communicate it effectively to students. Attend either the one-day, on-campus workshop on May 22 (with snacks!), or the 4-day online workshop June 1-4. Both options will prepare you for the Design Charrette.

Alternative Grading “Share & Tell” Design Charrette
Friday, June 5 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | in-person on the NOVA Annandale Campus
This opportunity is designed for participants to share their alternative grading materials in a structured environment with other faculty. All participants will submit materials in advance to the workshop facilitators (e.g. Course Policies, Grading Contract, Assessment) and plan to share feedback with others during the event. The “share & tell” will be an interactive, engaging, collaborative experience. Free parking and lunch will be provided.

If you attend both a design studio and the charrette, and complete a short post-event survey, you will be eligible for a $50 Amazon gift card!

Open to all instructors and graduate students. Please reach out to Breana Bayraktar ([email protected]) with any questions.

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Deadline: Faculty Learning Community: Alternative Grading

Register here by Friday, January 23 | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

FLC #1 Wednesdays @ 7:00-8:15pm on Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb. 25, March 18, April 8, April 22, May 6
FLC #2 Thursdays @ 2:00-3:15pm on Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb. 26, March 19, April 9, April 23, May 7

Interested in exploring alternative grading in a supportive and collaborative space? Join one of the Alternative Grading Learning Communities! Over the semester we will engage in a learning community, participate in a design workshop, and then share & get feedback on our re-designed grading systems at a charrette. Participants could be eligible for up to $100 in gift cards!

Learning Community Meetings: We will meet via Zoom to discuss Grading for Growth (David Clark and Robert Talbert). You can choose to register for either learning community.
FLC #1 Wednesdays @ 7:00-8:15pm on Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb. 25, March 18, April 8, April 22, May 6
FLC #2 Thursdays @ 2:00-3:15pm on Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb. 26, March 19, April 9, April 23, May 7
*If these dates do not work for you, join the NVCC-hosted FLC on alternate Tuesdays, 4-5pm, starting Feb 3

Design Workshop: We will work through Chapter 11 of the Grading for Growth book – this is an opportunity to put into practice what we have read and talked about, by re-designing a course grading scheme. Participants from all FLCs will gather via Zoom on Wednesday, May 20, 10am-2pm.

NOVA-GMU Charrette: A charrette is an opportunity to collaboratively design and get feedback from peers – bring in-progress grading scheme drafts to share in this full-day workshop on Friday, June 5 (in-person at the NOVA Annandale Campus).

Research Participation: You are invited to participate in a research study exploring your experience in these learning communities. Participants who complete a brief post-meeting reflection (5-7 minutes) after each meeting will receive a $50 gift card, and participants who attend the design workshop and charrette are eligible for another $50 gift card.

Questions? Email Breana Bayraktar ([email protected]).

FLC open to GMU and non-GMU faculty/instructors

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.