Alternatives to Traditional Grading as a Way to Build Student Resiliency and Autonomy

In part due to the ongoing and increased mental health concerns in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many faculty and researchers are reporting deficiencies in our students’ coursework. This may show up as decreased grades as well as increased need for accommodations, decreased engagement, lowered retention, and difficulty with higher executive functioning. To allow students the space to learn how to learn, I have introduced contract grading to summer and fall classes. I will give a brief presentation of what I changed in the classroom setting these semesters and what I have seen reflected so far in the course grades and self-report data on their perspectives about contract grading. Following that, we will discuss the role of the instructor in this altered landscape and how we can foster growth with our students and university community