This book presents viable alternatives to classroom grading, explaining how to design grading systems that are both precise and efficient. It provides educators with a thorough grounding in grading research and theory. After clarifying the basic purposes of grades, the book discusses what should be included in them, how to use a rubric-based approach to assessment and reporting, how to compute final topic scores and final grades, and how technology can streamline the grading process. It also addresses seven types of assessment, which, when coordinated, can provide a comprehensive view of student understanding and skill. The book suggests alternatives to report cards with overall grades and ways to phase in their use. There are seven chapters: (1) "The Mandate to Change Classroom Grading"; (2) "What are Grades For?"; (3) "What Should be Included in Grades?"; (4) "Keeping Track of Assessment"; (5) "Assigning Final Topic Scores and Computing Grades"; (6) "Classroom Assessments"; and (7) "Report Cards with No Grades: Moving Toward the Future." The four appendixes present: survey questions about grading and reporting practices; a sample grade book page; rubrics; and the power law formula. (Contains 182 references.) (SM)