An associate professor of educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa, Dr. Matt Townsley is considered one of the nation’s leading experts on leadership for standards-based grading in K-12 schools. Matt has authored over 30 articles and books including Making Grades Matter: Standards-Based Grading in a Secondary PLC at Work , Using Grading to Support Student Learning, A Parents’ Guide to Grading and Reporting: Being Clear about What Matters, and Extinguishing the Fires within Assessment and Grading Reform. As a former district administrator and teacher in Iowa, he has firsthand experience implementing and leading lasting grading reform. In recent years, through conferences, professional development and workshops, Dr. Townsley has supported teachers, administrators, school boards, and parents across the globe on the topics of assessment and grading.
In recognition of his leadership in K-12 schools, Matt was named Iowa’s Central Office Administrator of the year and he was recognized as an ASCD Emerging Leader. His writing can be found in publications such as Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, and School Administrator. In addition, he has been featured or quoted in the following media outlets: The Christian Science Monitor, CNN.com, The Washington Post, USA Today, California and Kansas public radio, the Center for Digital Education, Khan Academy Ed Talks, as well as presented at national conferences such as the Learning Forward Annual Conference, National Conference on Education (AASA), and the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Annual Conference. Matt loves to make grading practical, and his energetic approach to engaging audiences has earned him the moniker, “The Sportscaster of Alternative Grading.”
Email Matt: matt(dot)townsley(at)gmail(dot)com