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David Clark

@dccmath.bsky.social

1.2K followers 84 following 587 posts

Mathematician at GVSU, but all views are my own. Author of Grading for Growth, the book and the blog! Blog: gradingforgrowth.com Book: www.routledge.com/9781642673814 Info: sites.google.com/mail.gvsu.edu/clar…

Posts Replies Media

Reposted by David Clark

Josh Eyler @josheyler.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

My op-ed about Harvard and its new grade cap is out today in The Hill. I’d love to hear what you think. thehill.com/opinion/educ...

Harvard’s new cap on ‘A’ grades is doomed to fail

We know now from decades of research that grades are not scientific or objective measurements of student learning.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

The last sentence of the abstract is icing on the cake.

Reposted by David Clark

Drew Lewis @drew-lewis.com · 21/05/2026

Apropos of nothing, if you think grades should reflect actual student learning rather than arbitrary institutional policies, I'd like to invite you to join us at the Grading Conference June 16--18

centerforgradingreform.org

Reposted by David Clark

Josh Eyler @josheyler.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Yep, I've been trying to communicate in as many forums as possible that this is a terrible idea. Princeton tried it from 2004-14 and it failed horrendously. Faculty voted unanimously to revoke it. The A cap fails at every place it is tried.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Hi everyone in this thread, I ask you to believe that I've spent a lot of time thinking about these things. I have limited time and resources to do some good in the world while also preserving my own mental health. As a result, I'm choosing not to engage with this particular battle.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

I would welcome you to do that! Substack is a way to make blog posts and send newsletters. We don't get any money from them, don't make money for them, and don't use their social features.

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David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Today on Grading for Growth, a guest post on Dave Musicant about how reframing his approach to alternative grading improved student perceptions.

gradingforgrowth.com

Focus on opportunity, not cost

How some simple tweaks to alternative grading systems can significantly improve student perceptions

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Golden Alexander, living up to its name (and buzzing with pollinators).

Many tall, flat clusters of bright yellow flowers

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David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Today on Grading for Growth, I reflect on the past year of teaching (4 preps!): Some surprises, some learning, and some future directions.

gradingforgrowth.com

Reflections on a year of alternative grading

A 3x3x3 reflection on what I did this year, how it went, and where I'm going next

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Lovely! (And a reminder that I should really get some pansies for the year too!)

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

A bee doing its thing on a wild geranium.

A small bee on a small pinkish purple flower.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Adolescent Robin (actually two of them) just recently fledged from a nest tucked above a downspout.

A young Robin with lots of spots on its feathers, among lots of greenery.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Phlox! Just getting established under a maple.

5-pointed purple flowers, many of them.

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David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

A wild geranium, with its wild leaves too.

A small purple flower surrounded by heavily divided green leaves.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

A mighty collection of pear blossoms (we'll likely get a dozen actual pears from this tree, but it's sure pretty).

Many clusters of white flowers on a branch.

Reposted by David Clark

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Today's Grading for Growth guest post is by a team of leading Chemistry education researchers. Working with a huge data set, they found a complex story about alternative grading, final grades, and opportunity gaps: gradingforgrowth.com/p/specificat...

gradingforgrowth.com

Specifications Grading and Equity

A More Complicated Story Than We Hoped

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Today's Grading for Growth guest post is by a team of leading Chemistry education researchers. Working with a huge data set, they found a complex story about alternative grading, final grades, and opportunity gaps: gradingforgrowth.com/p/specificat...

gradingforgrowth.com

Specifications Grading and Equity

A More Complicated Story Than We Hoped

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Wild ginger, unfolding its leaves! The original also given to me by a nun, a source of a surprising amount of my garden.

Bright green heart -shaped leaves.

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David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Spring Beauties! Plus the popsicle stick I used to mark them. Another lovely native in my shade garden.

Tiny white and pink striped flowers.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Virginia Bluebells, living their best life in this very wet spring.

Small blue conical flowers.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Not everything in my garden is native, because I'm also a huge sucker for spring bulbs. I'm enjoying this daffodil ahead of a week of storms that will likely spell the end for it

A bright yellow daffodil in sunlight.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Let me know, I'd love to hear!

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Today on Grading for Growth, I talk about something new(-ish) I'm trying in an upper-level class.

gradingforgrowth.com

A timed test of proof and logic without (as much) anxiety

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Next up, a Celandine Poppy (no, not that Celandine, this one is native). I was gifted the original by a nun, and it has happily spread into various corners of my yard.

A small yellow flower above deeply divided green leaves

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Everything is awful, so it's time for a Things In My Garden That Make Me Happy thread. Hope you enjoy it. Let's start with this Bloodroot, a native wildflower that volunteered in my (city!) shade garden. I think that's a sign that I'm doing it right.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Today on Grading for Growth, our guest poster Katie Baker reflects on the practice and meaning of grading while her college is in the midst of a merger.

gradingforgrowth.com

Finding Meaningful Moments in a Merger

A Shift in Grading in a Smaller Classroom

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Ahh, I see what you mean. Might be hard to get good examples (and permission) in a week, though.

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David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

We talk a lot about feedback and revisions... do you mean a particular process?

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David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

What would you like to see me write a blog post about? (Alternative-grading related, of course!) I'm at odd ends for my next post and would love to hear your ideas.

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David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Today on Grading for Growth, an update on one of our oldest posts (from 2021): Rigor -- what is it, does it really mean anything, and how does alternative grading support it?

gradingforgrowth.com

Throwback: Rigor

Seriously, what does that even mean? Anything?

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David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

This is pretty much as close as you can get to a controlled experiment in alternative grading: All sections were coordinated and used the same assessments, with the only variable being grading. Lots of interesting data and advice!

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Want data about how well alternative grading works? Erin Coffman at Indiana University compares data from traditionally graded and alternatively graded sections of a coordinated business course.

gradingforgrowth.com

A/B Testing Alternative Grading

Using data science to evaluate a new grading system

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Today on Grading for Growth, I lead you through a week of grading in one of my classes. Philosophy and nitty-gritty details, together!

gradingforgrowth.com

One week of grading

Thoughts, details, and philosophy of grading from one of my classes

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

News! Grading for Growth is now available as an audiobook! If you prefer listening to case studies, advice, and history of grading, check it out!

Grading for Growth: A Guide to Alternative Grading Practices that Promote Authentic Learning and Student Engagement in Higher Education

Are you satisfied with your current and traditional grading system? Does it accurately reflect your students’ learning and progress? Can it be gamed? Does it lead to grade-grubbing and friction ...

Reposted by David Clark

Shepherd @neolithicsheep.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

If you ever want to read a paper for free and can't find it otherwise, email the lead author and politely ask for a copy. You will not be bothering the person. You will in fact make their whole entire day. I have had scientists get so excited I asked they sent me everything they ever published.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Today on Grading for Growth, Kerry Mandulak shares her path into alternative grading while considering the admissions process for a professional program. gradingforgrowth.com/p/building-c...

gradingforgrowth.com

Building Community as a Catalyst

Advancing Alternative Grading in Speech-Language Pathology from the Ground Up

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David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Today on Grading for Growth, I write about the importance of sending a consistent message throughout your course design. Here are some ways to support the message of alternative grading.

gradingforgrowth.com

Pairs well with alternative grading

Supporting productive struggle by sending a consistent message

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Today on Grading for Growth, a guest post by Ainsley Vergara about her path to using alternative grading in Speech Pathology. gradingforgrowth.com/p/removing-t...

gradingforgrowth.com

Removing the Training Wheels

How I shifted toward student self-assessment and collaborative grading in a pre-professional program

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Today on Grading for Growth, a guest post from Acacia Ackles about her own experience of teaching through trauma. gradingforgrowth.com/p/teaching-t...

gradingforgrowth.com

Teaching through trauma

How Grading for Growth Helped Save my Sanity

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David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Today on Grading for Growth: Halley McCormick describes how she introduces students to the ideas of alternative grading and reinforces those ideas throughout the semester.

gradingforgrowth.com

Communicating Effectively with Students about Alternative Grading

Helping students track their grade and understand its meaning

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Anyhow, you have stumbled on one of my Hobbies and I am always up for talking about it.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I've tried this and liked it! But squash is such a space hog compared to corn and beans that I gave up on it.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Try peas early and several varieties of beans later. I bet if you stagger them you'll have coverage all summer.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Are you putting together a new garden? Add some peas too!

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I've never *intentionally* dried them, but it happens by accident all the time right in the garden. I usually freeze mine instead. I grow plain old Blue Lake pole beans. Grow great in my area, taste good. Undoubtedly something else is better adapted to your climate though.

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I grow green beans, both bush and pole. The pole beans climb up my cornstalks and I love that. What would you like to know?

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

It's a new year, and I'm in school planning today. Here are six bite-sized alternative grading ideas for the new year: gradingforgrowth.com/p/thoughts-f...

gradingforgrowth.com

Thoughts for the new year

Bite-sized ideas on alternative grading in 2026

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Also, for cases where you want to require that students do "basically everything" or "all of something", write those requirements in those terms rather than hard-coding a number. For example, "all homeworks Successful" rather than "10 homeworks Successful"

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

* Organize standards by priority (core, regular, supplementary) * Create grade bundles with a clear hierarchy * Lean in to collaborative grading for final grade-setting

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Some initial thoughts: You'll have to make changes after an unexpected event. No system can just absorb a big shock unchanged. So we can think about design choices that make those changes easier to identify and prioritize, like: