Special Report

Grading and Assessment: How to Best Measure Student Success

April 14, 2025
Image of students with letter grades overlay on their clothing.
Robert Neubecker for Education Week
For decades, the value of grades in K-12 schools and the accuracy of high school GPAs in predicting career and college readiness have been debated. The pandemic, with its resulting "grade inflation," has added to the complexity to this ongoing debate.

This report examines the key factors shaping school grading policies and educators’ practices, exploring both traditional grading systems and new methods for assessing student knowledge and skills. By reviewing best practices, analyzing the high school-to-college GPA connection, and addressing concerns about grading and assessment, this report aims to advance the conversation on what truly reflects student achievement and why it matters.