Publications

Books

Schimmer, T., Knight, M., & Townsley, M. (2024). Grading reform that lasts: Eight steps to transform your school’s assessment culture. Solution Tree. [Available here]

Townsley, M., & Lang, C. (2023). A parents’ guide to grading and reporting: Being clear about what matters. Rowman & Littlefield. [Available here]

Townsley, M. (2022). Using grading to support student learning. Routledge. [Available here]

Townsley, M., & Wear, N. (2020). Making grades matter:  Standards-based grading in a secondary PLC at work. Solution Tree. [Available here]

Articles

Wilcox, J., & Townsley, M. (2024). The standard answer: Considerations for implementing standards-based grading in an NGSS-aligned science classroom. Science Scope, 47(2), 47-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/08872376.2024.2314670  

Sauers, N., Townsley, M., & Richardson, J. (2024). Student assessment during COVID: A view from the principal’s (virtual) desk. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas. 97(1), 16-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/00098655.2023.2295884  

Griffin, R., & Townsley, M. (2022). Including homework and employability skills in class grades: An investigation of equitable outcomes in an urban high school. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 27(1). https://scholarworks.umass.edu/pare/vol27/iss1/27/

Townsley, M., & Kunnath, J. (2022). Exploring state department of education grading guidance during COVID-19: A model for future emergency remote learning. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 30(163). [Available online]

Wilcox, J., & Townsley, M. (2022). Debunking myths of standards-based grading: Addressing the concerns and providing some strategies for implementing alternative grading practices. The Science Teacher, 90(1), 29-33. [Available online]

Lang, C., & Townsley, M. (2021). Improving teacher evaluation: Walking the talk of standards-based grading. Journal of School Administration Research and Development, 6(2), 81-89. [Available online]

Griffin, R., & Townsley, M. (2021). Points, points and more points: Grade inflation and deflation when homework and employability scores are incorporated. Journal of School Administration Research and Development, 6(1), 1-11.[Available online]

Townsley, M. (2021). Grading in the midst of a pandemic. School Administrator, 78(5), 28-31. [Available online]

Townsley, M., & McNamara, S. (2021). “I thought I was supposed to get an A in PE!” Successes and challenges of teachers and administrators implementing standards-based grading in physical education. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2021.101012

Guskey, T. R., Townsley, M., & Buckmiller, T. (2020). The impact of standards-based learning: Tracking high school students’ transition to the university. NASSP Bulletin, 104(4), 257-269.

Townsley, M. (2020). Grading principles in pandemic-era learning: Recommendations and implications for secondary school leaders. Journal of School Administration Research and Development, 5(S1), 8-14. [Available online]

Townsley, M., & Knight, M. (2020). Three big shifts for standards-based grades. ASCD Express, 16(2). [Available online]

Townsley M., & Buckmiller T. (2020). Losing As and Fs: What works for schools implementing standards-based grading? Educational Considerations, 46(1). [Available online]

Buckmiller, T., Townsley, M., & Cooper, R. (2020). Rural high school principals and the challenge of standards-based grading.  Theory and Practice in Rural Education, 10(1), 92-102. [Available online]

Townsley, M., & Knight, M. (2020). Making change stick: A case study of one high school’s journey towards standards-based grading. Journal of Educational Leadership in Action, 6(3). [Available online]

Townsley, M. (2020). Standards-based grading implementation pitfalls to avoid in secondary math. Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics Journal, 43, 11-15.

Townsley, M., Buckmiller, T., & Cooper R. (2019). Anticipating a second wave of standards-based grading implementation and understanding the potential barriers: Perceptions of high school principals. NASSP Bulletin, 103(4), 281-299. 

Townsley, M. (2019). Considering standards-based grading: Challenges for school leaders. Journal of School Administration Research and Development, 4(1), 35-38.  [Available online]

Townsley, M. (2019). Walking the talk: Embedding standards-based grading in an educational leadership course. Journal of Research Initiatives, 4(2). [Available online]

Townsley, M. (2018). Mastery-minded grading in secondary schools. School Administrator, 75(2), 16-21. [Available online]

Townsley, M., & Varga, M. (2018). Getting high school students ready for college: A quantitative study of standards-based grading practices. Journal of Research in Education, 28(1), 92-112.

Peters, R., Kruse, J., Buckmiller, T., & Townsley, M. (2017). “It’s just not fair!” Making sense of secondary students’ resistance to a standards-based grading initiative. American Secondary Education, 45(3), 9-28.

Townsley, M. (2017). Three lessons for schools shifting their grading. School Administrator, 74(1), 27.

Townsley, M. (2015). Peter Miller: Building a districtwide PLC vision through repeated story. Curriculum in Context, 41(1), 10-12.

Townsley, M. (2013). Redesigning grading — districtwide. Educational Leadership, 71(4), 68-71. 2.

Townsley, M. (2012). Differentiated technology professional development. Tech & Learning, 32(11), 66. 3.

Townsley, M. (2008). A dynamic parallelogram investigation using Geometer’s Sketchpad. Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics Journal, 35, 9-15.