This presentation explores the implementation of “ungrading” in a global agriculture upper-level seminar class. Unlike traditional grading systems that rely on point-based assessments, in this effort ungrading shifts the focus toward personalized, narrative-based evaluations, mirroring professional performance reviews, specifically through a model involving three monthly performance evaluation meetings with students. This method was adopted to help students develop a deeper sense of ownership over their learning while preparing for their future careers.

The research supporting ungrading highlights its effectiveness in promoting student engagement, motivation, and self-reflection. Studies suggest that students in ungraded systems are more likely to take responsibility for their academic progress, engage critically with course material, and cultivate skills that are highly valued in professional settings, such as self-assessment, feedback interpretation, and goal setting. The three evaluation meetings allow for ongoing, reflective dialogue between students and instructors, ensuring that the process is both dynamic and responsive to individual needs.

In this approach, students participate in regular, detailed discussions of their performance and growth, receiving qualitative feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement. These meetings provided additional opportunities for coaching and mentoring of students. This feedback emphasizes development and learning rather than numerical scores, fostering a mindset of reflection and growth. Additionally, the ungrading model offers flexibility, enabling students to embrace challenges without the pressure of rigid grading schemes.

Preliminary data from student reflections in two classes (n=22) show that students had initial concerns about the ungrading approach, however, grow to appreciate the shift toward a more personalized, reflective assessment model. They report feeling more motivated, engaged, and confident in their learning process. This presentation will provide insights and preliminary data exploring ungrading as an innovative, student-centered approach that promotes both academic and professional success by emphasizing growth and meaningful reflection over numerical evaluation.