This grading contract, used by UWP Lecturer Laura Hartmann-Villalta in Reintroduction to Writing, lays out an alternate grading scheme that aims to shift the focus of assessment to feedback rather than grades. 

The document—which Laura calls a “grade agreement” in order to soften the legalistic tone of contract grading—lays out the requirements for each grade in a transparent manner. Students receive only four levels of assessment on major projects: satisfactory, in need of revision, incomplete, and no submission or missed deadline. They have an unlimited number of chances to revise major projects and can choose to complete “level-up” projects to increase their grade. 

Since even students who earn satisfactories on major assignments have to supplement their learning through level-up projects to earn the highest grade, Laura’s course might also be considered an example of “labor-based grading.” By placing more emphasis on revision, feedback, and opportunities for growth rather than the final product alone, the course emphasizes writing processes that students of all levels need to grow as writers in this class and beyond.