Review of Off The Mark: How Grades, Ratings, and Rankings Undermine Learning (but Don't Have To), by Jack Schneider & Ethan L. Hutt
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14507/er.v33.4285Abstract
This review analyzes Off the Mark by Jack Schneider and Ethan L. Hutt, a timely critique of the educational assessment system and its impact on student learning. Written in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the book challenges the entrenched reliance on grades, ratings, and rankings, arguing that these practices undermine intrinsic motivation and holistic development. Drawing from global examples and historical context, Schneider and Hutt explore how assessment systems have evolved into bureaucratic tools that prioritize quantifiable outcomes over meaningful learning. The review highlights the authors’ proposed alternatives, including portfolio assessments, narrative evaluations, and competency-based models, that aim to restore joy and authenticity to the learning process. By connecting the book’s themes to broader educational discourse and complementary works, such as Grading for Equity (Feldman, 2023), this review highlights the urgent need to rethink how student achievement is measured and valued.
Author Biography
Lacie VanDam, Utah State University
Lacie VanDam is a proud Southern Utah native and passionate kindergarten teacher, dedicated to sparking a lifelong love of learning in every child. Since beginning her career in education in 2021, she has developed a firm belief in nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—through meaningful relationships and intentional instruction, a commitment that earned state recognition in 2024 with a Science of Reading award. Lacie holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and is currently pursuing a doctorate at Utah State University.
References
Feldman, J. (2023). Grading for equity: What it is, why it matters, and how it can transform schools and classrooms. Corwin Press.
[Book Reviewed] Schneider, J., & Hutt, E. L. (2023). Off the mark: How grades, ratings, and rankings undermine learning (but don’t have to). Harvard University Press.
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