Episode 22: Why Prioritizing Standards Matters with Special Guest Larry Ainsworth

Episode 22 of Fires in Grading features Larry Ainsworth in a practical conversation about why prioritizing standards is essential for meaningful grading reform. Don, Becky, and Garth examine what happens when schools try to teach everything with equal emphasis and why that approach often leads to shallow learning and limited feedback. Larry shares the research behind prioritization, explains the REAL process, and discusses how schools can identify what is truly essential for student success. The episode also highlights why textbooks are not designed to serve as prioritization tools and why clarity must come before alignment in grading systems. For schools working through the STAGR roadmap, this episode offers a clear look at why Step 02 shapes everything that follows.Learn more about our sponsors: Otus: ⁠⁠⁠https://hubs.li/Q03StGb_0⁠⁠⁠STAGR Center: ⁠⁠⁠https://firsteducation-us.com/stagr⁠