Grading, Growth, and AI: Rethinking Assessment for Authentic Learning

The rise of generative AI has forced schools to confront a pressing question: how can we preserve rigor, equity, and authenticity in student learning when machines can complete traditional assignments? For administrators and instructional leaders, this is not just a classroom challenge; it’s a systemic one.This session provides a framework for school and district leaders to guide their communities through the assessment and grading shifts required in the AI era. Drawing on research, practical models, and professional development experience, the session explores critical pivots: from take-home to in-class assessments, from product to process, and from individual to relational demonstrations of knowledge.Participants will engage with guiding questions around grading philosophy, equity in oral/timed assessments, and balancing rigor with compassion. The session will close with a roadmap for professional development, equipping leaders to support faculty in making these transitions thoughtfully and sustainably.