Crescendo Education Group, LLC

?? Join Us for the Equitable Grading Study Tour! ?? Looking to drive lasting change in your district or school? Our two-day immersive experience is designed for leaders and their teams to gain actionable strategies for transforming grading practices. ?? Expert Guidance: Led by Joe Feldman and our team, you'll access proven insights and best practices. ?? Lessons from the Field: Learn from districts like San Leandro Unified, who’ve implemented system-wide, impactful changes. ?? Practical Strategies: Leave with tools to expand equitable grading, accelerate instructional priorities, and enhance community communication. ?? In-Depth Networking: Connect with like-minded leaders passionate about creating equitable learning environments. ?? Don’t miss this opportunity to create meaningful, lasting change. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/gucTXsTY #EquitableGrading #EducationLeadership #GradingForEquity #StudyTour

Schenectady Schools is making their grading more equitable--more transparent and honest about where students are in their learning--and parents are supportive. https://lnkd.in/gFMfpSpT Carlos M. Cotto Jr., Ed.D.

Exciting to see our work in action! Dr. Shantha Smith is spending her second day with the dedicated teachers at Sonoma County Office of Education. We are grateful for educators committed to making meaningful change for students—and for team members like Dr. Smith, who lead these impactful learning experiences! #GradingForEquity #EducationReform

?? Teacher Voices: Real Impact ?? We are thrilled to see how our work resonates with future educators like Sagal, who found Grading for Equity insightful in shaping a vision for equitable practices in the classroom. Hearing from teachers-in-training reminds us why equitable grading matters so much – it’s about setting up both teachers and students for success. ?? Join us on this journey toward educational equity! #Education #EquityInEducation #TeacherImpact #GradingForEquity

The Growing Disconnect Between Standardized Test Scores and Student Grades ?? As the future of standardized testing evolves, a gap widens between exam scores and student GPAs. ?? From 2018 to 2021, average #ACT composite scores fell from 22.51 to 21.90, while reported high school GPAs rose from 3.48 to 3.59. Similarly, average #SAT scores dropped by four points from 2023 to 2024. However, understanding this disconnect isn't straightforward. Inconsistent grading practices by educators, among other factors, significantly impact how student success is measured, leading to a complicated relationship between grades and test scores. ???? Experts, including The College Board, recommend that standardized test scores remain part of admission decisions, but should not be the sole criteria. Joe Feldman, CEO of Crescendo Education Group, LLC, advocates for enhanced grading training for educators so that student success can be more effectively measured. ?? The future of standardized testing in #Massachusetts is on the ballot, with Question 2 seeking to repeal the requirement for students to pass the tenth-grade #MCAS in order to graduate. ?? Discover more about the findings and implications for education: https://lnkd.in/gwB8rfjC #Education #StandardizedTesting #StudentSuccess #CrescendoEducationGroup #CollegeAdmissions

Great article by Brandon Protas, Ed.D. about our study of the frequency of inaccurate grades and how to improve grading, and how we need to re-examine not just grading, but the communication and alignment between K-12 and college admission/expectations.

?? Missed our latest webinar? Now’s your chance to watch Can We Trust the Transcript: Recognizing Student Potential through More Accurate and Fair Grading! During this insightful session, we uncovered three big ideas: ?? Accurate grading is essential for students' futures, yet is often compromised by non-academic factors. ?? Schools across the country are boosting grading accuracy through strategic engagement, teacher training, and system adjustments. ?? Research shows that equitable grading practices improve outcomes for all students, particularly students of color and those from low-income families. A highlight from Nia Rashidchi, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at Castro Valley USD: "Grades impact the trajectories of our students and their experiences; they drive whether students get opportunities to participate in certain things—whether it’s high school course access, honors, or remedial classes. That’s why we’re working to shift to grading practices that truly reflect what students know and can do. This shift in grading is about equity—ensuring all students have an equal chance to succeed. Our goal is to implement practices district-wide that foster confidence and opportunity, not barriers." ?? Watch the full webinar recording here: https://lnkd.in/g-Y-y6yN Join us in the movement toward fair, accurate grading practices that uplift every student! ?? #EquitableGrading #EducationReform #StudentSuccess #FairGrading #EdLeadership #EdEquity #K12Education #Webinar

?? New Blog Alert: The Grade Depression ?? Grades are meant to reflect learning, but what happens when they don’t? In our latest blog, our colleague Courtney Fenner (she/her) dives deep into her experience as a NYC public school teacher and how traditional grading practices can demotivate students and amplify biases. Discover the real impact of non-academic grading and learn how educators can adopt equitable practices that truly reflect student learning. Read more ?? https://lnkd.in/gf7mexhA #EquitableGrading #EducationReform #K12Education #EquityInEducation

Our latest study on grading practices uncovered startling disparities across student groups: ?? Hispanic and Black students: Most likely to receive inflated grades ?? Asian students: Highest rate of grade-test score consistency ?? White students: Closest to average on both measures ?? All groups: Experienced some level of grade depression Grades significantly impact students' mental health and future opportunities, and most grades aren’t accurate–either inflated or depressed. These inaccuracies and disparities highlight the urgent need for more equitable grading practices. Discover how we can create fairer opportunities for all students: https://bit.ly/4dehWQ9 #GradingEquity #K12Education #StudentSuccess

?? Today’s the day! ?? Our webinar on equitable grading kicks off at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT. If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time! Even if you can’t join us live, make sure to sign up and we'll send you the recording afterward. You don’t want to miss insights from Joe Feldman, Nia Rashidchi, and James Lane as they explore how equitable grading practices can better reflect student learning and potential. ?? Register now: https://lnkd.in/gdrDuXjh Let’s continue the conversation and work together for meaningful change in education! #EquitableGrading #EducationReform #Webinar #ProfessionalDevelopment #Equity