An insightful panel of thought leaders, teachers, students, and administrators, organized by LEAP and Learning Portrait led a rich discussion on grading and its role in learning. Discussion explored how grading can and should be learning-oriented and what can be done to create more meaningful, learning-centered approaches. This session moved beyond critique to highlight practical, research-aligned shifts that are helping schools rethink how learning is communicated and supported.

Grades influence nearly every aspect of schooling — yet traditional grading practices continue to generate frustration, confusion, and unintended consequences for students, educators, leaders, and families.

This dynamic virtual conversation explored why grading remains so challenging and what can be done to create more meaningful, learning-centered approaches. A central focus of the conversation is the powerful shift from numbers to language — and how language-based feedback can reshape motivation, clarity, and equity.

Whether you are reexamining grading or actively driving change, this session will spark new thinking and provide actionable insight.

WHY WATCH?

• Gain expert insights and hear practical stories about how teachers have turned grading from an act of chasing points into a vehicle for genuine learning

• Identify one step you can take as an educator to address grading issues in your own district or classroom

• Learn common challenges of moving to language-based competency grading, and how to overcome those obstacles