The AP Language and Composition teachers at Palo Alto High School have decided to change all assignments and assessments to a gradeless format this year to enhance learning for students.

All assignments will be graded on a learning progression based on identification and application of basic or sophisticated knowledge as opposed to any letter or percentage grades. Semester grades will be determined during monthly grade conferences discussing how the student has progressed in the course goals over the course of the semester and if the student has met their goals.

According to the AP Lang course guide, extensive research in books like “Ungrading” by Susan Blum, helped AP Lang teachers find that students learned better and outperformed others when assignments and assessments were gradeless.

As this grading policy is very new, Paly AP Lang teachers declined to comment on the policy to prevent confusion and misinformation.

Junior Tyler Kramer believes the new policy is helpful, “I think it’s going to motivate students to give their full effort,” Kramer said.