PowerTeacher

Ken O'Connor, a.k.a. The Grade Doctor, is an independent consultant who specializes in issues related to the communication of student achievement, especially grading and reporting. Through books and articles, presentations and working with small groups, Ken helps individuals, schools and school districts to improve communication about student achievement.

In 1995, Ken developed eight guidelines for grading, which he has continued to refine. In 2007, these same ideas were organized into "15 Fixes for Broken Grades." Ken has also designed eleven guidelines for standards-based reporting. Ken is now acknowledged as one of a small group of leading experts on how to grade and report effectively. Pearson is proud to have implemented Ken's philosophies into the development of PowerTeacher 2.0.

Ken O'Connor Online Chat Log November 2, 2011

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Ken O'Connor on PowerTeacher 2.0

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Ken O'Connor's 15 Fixes - Grading for Learning

Fix 1: Separating Achievement from Behavior

Fix 2: How to Handle Late Work

Fix 3: How to Avoid Inflated Grades

Fix 4: How to Handle Academic Dishonesty

Fix 5: Separating Attendance from Achievement

Fix 6: How to Handle Group Work

Fix 7: Using Standards as the Basis for Assessment

Fix 8: How to Measure Proficiency

Fix 9: Using Criterion Referencing

Fix 10: Quality Assessment

Fix 11: How Grades are Determined

Fix 12: Avoiding the Zero

Fix 13: Formative and Summative Assessment

Fix 14: Learning Over Time

Fix 15: Student Involvement and Understanding of Assessment and Grading