As ‘Grading for Equity’ Movement Grows, More Teachers Are Pushing Back

Wall Street Journal ^ | May 11, 2025 | Matt Barnum

[karpov]

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—A principal-turned-consultant has built a movement—and a business—on overturning how teachers have graded for generations. His alternative: “grading for equity.”

Joe Feldman preaches that students should be able to retake tests and redo assignments. There should be no penalties for late work and no grades for homework. No points for good behavior, classroom participation or perfect attendance, either.

“When you include those in a grade, you’re bringing your implicit bias into the grade because not all students learn in that particular way,” Feldman told dozens of teachers gathered for a training session in Schenectady, N.Y., one Wednesday afternoon in March. Students should be graded only on their demonstrated learning of class material, Feldman said.

America’s grading system has been largely stable for decades, but Feldman has managed to shift many schools’ practices in just a few years. And despite the broader Trump-led swell against anything with the word “equity” in it, Feldman continues to evangelize his approach—and some school leaders keep listening.

Schenectady City School District superintendent Carlos Cotto, whose district paid Feldman’s consulting firm $65,000 to train hundreds of teachers in March, isn’t deterred by the equity backlash. “It’s part of the work when you think of education,” he said.

Grading for equity hasn’t escaped political criticism, though. Connecticut legislators, for instance, have questioned a policy in some districts to set minimum grades for assignments at 50 rather than zero, a common feature of equitable grading. Some schools nationwide instituted the practice only to roll back parts of it.

Teachers give Feldman’s ideas mixed reviews. In Schenectady, some scrolled on their phones during his presentation, while others complained they weren’t sure his approach was practical. It remains unclear whether this form of grading is more effective or even more equitable than the traditional way.

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: New York
KEYWORDS: badeducation; dumbingdownamerica; education; equity; publicschools

[karpov]

Full article. This is obviously a bad idea, as most things with "equity" in the name are. When you are working there are penalties for being late.

[Red Badger]

Joe Feldman preaches that students should be able to retake tests and redo assignments. There should be no penalties for late work and no grades for homework. No points for good behavior, classroom participation or perfect attendance, either.

And when those students reach adulthood, their employable skillset will be zilch...................

[bert]

there is no real solution for inequality. Some can never make the grade.

Equity achieved by eliminating standards merely proves inequality

[Macoozie]

Good Teachers, and schools, recognize those kids that need the extra push, the extra time, or the second chance.
Many districts have these opportunities already built into their processing.

The disrupters or violent kids are a different story.
Folks will always lend a hand to those that are trying. To the others, alternative schools or prison await.

[Ex-Con777]

Give everyone a C. Equity achieved.

EC

[No name given]

They’ll just resort to criminal lifestyles.

[No name given]

Exactly.

[ealgeone]

Not sure what “implicit bias” there is in 2+2=4 or what day was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

[Bob434]

Was Joe one of those who never received a participation trophy.

[BobL]

“Joe Feldman preaches that students should be able to retake tests and redo assignments. There should be no penalties for late work and no grades for homework. No points for good behavior, classroom participation or perfect attendance, either.”

I hope that people here are now able to understand the REAL REASON there’s such a strong drive to get rid of the SAT.

[Salman]

‘Grading for Equity’ ?

Some new official terminology for enforcing something that has going on systematically since the 1960s.

[ActresponsiblyinVA]

Taxation for equity? Different rates for different races?

[antidemoncrat]

“A principal-turned-consultant”

A principal-turned-insaultant

There, fixed it

[yldstrk]

So I can work my head off while Susie sits on her behind and at the end of the day we both make $7. Right?

[nopardons]

BTTT

[I want the USA back]

Translation. Certain highly privileged minorities would be failed if we held them to the same standards as other people. So to promote the delusion that they are as hard-working and smart as other people we will give them a passing grade.

[goodnesswins]

Yeah...and have them build airplanes or be air controllers.

[cuz1961]

Grading for Equity

=

Training for Communism

[ridesthemiles]

WHEN THESE STUDENTS ENTER THE WORK FORCE—

THEIR EMPLOYERS WILL NOT BE USING THE SAME “GRADING” SYSTEM.

These ‘experts’ are creating a system that leads students down a false path of ability

[ridesthemiles]

EXACTLY the OUTCOME