23 - Trust the Teacher: Why Percentages Fail and Professional Judgment Prevails

In this episode, Tom & Nat tackle one of education’s biggest myths: that percentages make grading fair and objective. They break down how percentage systems create the illusion of precision while concealing the true story of student learning. Through real numerical examples and insights from researchers, they reveal how averaging can distort growth, penalize early learning, and undermine teacher professionalism. But this isn’t just a critique, it’s a call to action. Tom and Nat show why professional judgment is not a flaw in the system but its foundation, even within outcome-based frameworks. They share practical strategies for strengthening confidence in teacher judgment, communicating clearly with parents, and helping schools shift toward more authentic measures of learning. It’s an empowering conversation for any educator ready to move beyond numbers and trust the human side of assessment.   🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: [email protected]     PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS   -Dec 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action (Austin, TX) -April 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC)     NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment     CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

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