Tom Schimmer - Grading From the Inside Out

Copyright 2016 by Solution Tree Press

Materials appearing here are copyrighted. With one exception, all rights are reserved. Readers may reproduce only those pages marked Reproducible. Otherwise, no part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of the publisher.

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Visit go.solution-tree.com/assessment to download the free reproducibles in this book.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Schimmer, Tom.

Title: Grading from the inside out : bringing accuracy to student assessment through a standards-based mindset / Tom Schimmer.

Description: Bloomington, IN : Solution Tree Press, [2016] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015043182 | ISBN 9781936763856 (perfect bound)

Subjects: LCSH: Grading and marking (Students)--Standards. | Students--Rating of.

Classification: LCC LB3051 .S3155 2016 | DDC 371.26--dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015043182

Solution Tree

Jeffrey C. Jones, CEO

Edmund M. Ackerman, President

Solution Tree Press

President: Douglas M. Rife

Senior Acquisitions Editor: Amy Rubenstein

Editorial Director: Lesley Bolton

Managing Production Editor: Caroline Weiss

Senior Production Editor: Suzanne Kraszewski

Copy Editor: Miranda Addonizio

Proofreader: Elisabeth Abrams

Cover and Text Designer: Laura Kagemann

This book is dedicated to teachers who, without any
fanfare or notoriety, continually put who they teach above
what or how they teach. It is also dedicated to those
teachers whose unwavering commitment to our most
vulnerable learners serves as an inspiration to us all!

While my name is on the front cover of this book, books are never the result of one persons effort. Without the incredible support of those who surround me, this project never would have been possible.

To Rick Stiggins, Jan Chappuis, Ken OConnor, Rick Wormeli, Thomas Guskey, and Lee Ann Jung: My work is built upon your examples and your incredible contributions to the field of assessment and grading, which serve as the foundation for us all to become better at what we do. I am humbled to call you my colleagues and friends. I can only hope to live up to the lofty example youve set for me and everyone else hoping to make as meaningful a contribution to education as you have.

To Douglas Rife, Claudia Wheatley, and the entire Solution Tree team: Thank you for believing I had something meaningful to contribute to the conversation about sound grading practices. Your unwavering support is very much appreciated, and I look forward to our future work together.

To Amy Rubenstein, Lesley Bolton, Caroline Weiss, Suzanne Kraszewski, Miranda Addonizio, and Elisabeth Abrams: Your vision and editing have turned a manuscript into a cogent presentation of ideas. To Laura Kagemann: Thank you for what is an amazing cover design. All of you are the unsung heroes of this book, and I am truly grateful for your contributions.

To Katie While, Mandy Stalets, Garnet Hillman, Stephanie Harmon, Ken Mattingly, Darin Jolly, Charity Stephens, Cindy Warber, Sherri Nelson, April Davenport, Courtney Bebluk, Lara Gilpin, and Erin Wilson: Your personal contributions to each chapter are an essential part of this book. These stories from the field bring the ideas within this book to life and allow readers a clear vision of what putting theory into practice can look like.

To Cassandra Erkens and Nicole Vagle: I am so proud and humbled by my opportunity to work with two of the sharpest assessment minds in the business and two of the most genuine people I know. Personally, our friendship is invaluable to me. Professionally, your attention to detail and your depth of assessment knowledge are inspiring. What we are building together is going to be special, and I am so excited by what the future holds!

To my wife, Monica, and my children, Samantha and Adrian: I am so grateful for your love, support, and encouragement. Your understanding and patience are extraordinary and are ultimately what drives me to succeed and to make you proud. I wouldnt be where I am today without you!

Solution Tree Press would like to thank the following reviewers:

Sofia Georgios

Social Studies Teacher

Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School

Oak Lawn, Illinois

Jon F. Hasenbank

Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education

Department of Mathematics

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Darin Johnston

Sixth-Grade Teacher

North Fayette Valley Middle School

Elgin, Iowa

Matt Townsley

Director of Instruction and Technology

Solon Community School District

Solon, Iowa

Wes Weaver

Principal

Licking Valley High School

Newark, Ohio

April Zawlocki

Assistant Professor of Education

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Visit go.solution-tree.com/assessment to
download the free reproducibles in this book.

Tom Schimmer is an author and a speaker with expertise in assessment, grading, leadership, and behavioral support. An educator for more than twenty years, Tom is a former district-level leader, school administrator, and teacher. As a district-level leader, he was a member of the senior management team responsible for overseeing the efforts to support and build the instructional capacities of teachers and administrators.

Tom is a sought-after speaker who presents internationally to schools and districts.

He earned a teaching degree from Boise State University and a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of British Columbia.

To learn more about Toms work, visit www.tomschimmer.com , follow Tom on Twitter@TomSchimmer , and visit http://allthingsassessment.info , the Solution Tree All Things Assessment website.

To book Tom Schimmer for professional development, contact .

The more aware we are of our basic paradigms, maps, or assumptions, and the extent to which we have been influenced by our experience, the more we can take responsibility for those paradigms, examine them, test them against reality, listen to others and be open to their perceptions, thereby getting a larger picture and a far more objective view.

Stephen Covey

I have a confession to make: I was the no-second-chances guy. When I first started as a high school social studies teacher, I was the guy who gave zeros, the guy who imposed penalties for late workthe guy who offered no second chances. I deducted 10 percent per day for late assignments and gave out zeros like candy. If anyone had looked up