Provide flexible grading with ample and rigorous feedback to build up encouragement

Students learn better when feedback is ample, specific, and rigorous. By providing scaffolded feedback to students based on the time of the year, they can work on different skills throughout the year and build muscles that allow them to take feedback without feeling defeated and make positive changes to their work. In addition, flexible grading early on in students’ AP experiences accompanied with this rigorous feedback will prevent feelings of inadequacy and help them understand the areas in which they need to develop and the actions needed to develop them.