GETCA 2025

What is it that we want a student’s grade to tell us? More importantly, what do want a breakdown of their grade to tell us? Too often, traditional grade categories tell us whether students are strong or struggle with unit exams or assignments, but tell us little about what cognitive skills and abilities they need in order to improve their learning. This session will examine the advantages of cognitive-based grade categories, how it can improve assessment design, and give more detailed feedback to students on what cognitive skills they need to improve their learning. We will also examine examples of cognitive-based grading (including year plans, assessments and grade book setup) in multiple subject areas, and look at ways to adapt your current assessments so this is not more work for teachers. Participants will learn about an assessment approach that can be easily adapted to their current practice so that their assessments give them a clearer picture of where their students are strong or struggling, as well as examine examples that show how it works in different grade levels and subject areas. Resources will be shared and participants will have the opportunity to make a Cognitive-Based Assessment.