Fostering Agency in
Learning

Ideas

IDEA #10: Bundled & Specifications Grading

"Reconsidering how and why we grade can help us develop practices that reduce students' anxiety, address some of the inequities of traditional grading schemes, save us time, and foster more positive, meaningful communication between us and our students."
—Palmer and Streifer

Learning Intentions

Bundled and specifications grading connect mastery of course outcomes with student agency by allowing students to choose grade-based bundles, weighted bundles, and/or revision assignments to help students prove understanding of content.

Using Specification Grading

  1. Construct course modules/bundles in alignment with course objectives to ensure students meet the associated learning outcome.
  2. Ensure students know clear criteria that demonstrate B grade or higher quality work.
  3. Allow revisions, late work, or the omission of worst grades to give students flexibility.
  4. Grade assignments and assessments as pass/fail.
  5. Use completed modules/bundles as the basis for a student's course grade.

Using Grade-Based Bundles

  • Create grade-based bundles outlining what a student must do to achieve a certain grade.
  • Give students the choice to complete the quality and quantity of work for the grade they want.
  • Clarify grading mechanisms, percentage requirements, etc. and a method for students to determine their grade.
  • Weighted Bundles: Students can choose which type of assignment they want to be worth more of their grade than others.

Revision and Late Work Policies

Set clear guidelines for revisions or late work:

  • How many revisions are students permitted?
  • How many times can late work be turned in?
  • What is the timeframe for late work?

Resources