Rick Wormeli Professional Development

Rick Wormeli is one of the most respected voices in education on the topics of assessment, grading, and differentiated instruction. A National Board Certified Teacher and winner of Disney's American Teacher Award for English (1996), Rick has spent over two decades helping schools and districts rethink how they evaluate student learning — moving from compliance-driven grading toward practices that genuinely reflect mastery and promote growth. Rick's professional development sessions are known for their rare blend of rigour and accessibility. Drawing on extensive classroom experience and current research, he tackles the grading questions that keep educators up at night: How should we handle late work? What is the difference between formative and summative assessment — and how should each inform grades? How do we grade fairly in differentiated classrooms? His seminal book, *Fair Isn't Always Equal: Assessment & Grading in the Differentiated Classroom*, has become essential reading for educators seeking equitable grading practices. As a solo consultant working internationally, Rick brings a deeply personal, practitioner-centred approach to every engagement. His presentation topics include standards-based grading, descriptive feedback techniques, alternative assessments, re-learning and re-assessing policies, and supporting students with special education needs. Teachers consistently praise his ability to translate complex assessment research into practical, classroom-ready strategies that can be implemented immediately. Whether through full-day workshops, keynote addresses, or multi-session consulting engagements, Rick Wormeli's PD offers a transformative rethink of how schools approach the fundamental question of what grades should actually mean.