Review of Off The Mark: How Grades, Ratings, and Rankings Undermine Learning (but Don't Have To), by Jack Schneider & Ethan L. Hutt

This review analyzes Off the Mark by Jack Schneider and Ethan L. Hutt, a timely critique of the educational assessment system and its impact on student learning. Written in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the book challenges the entrenched reliance on grades, ratings, and rankings, arguing that these practices undermine intrinsic motivation and holistic development. Drawing from global examples and historical context, Schneider and Hutt explore how assessment systems have evolved into bureaucratic tools that prioritize quantifiable outcomes over meaningful learning. The review highlights the authors’ proposed alternatives, including portfolio assessments, narrative evaluations, and competency-based models, that aim to restore joy and authenticity to the learning process. By connecting the book’s themes to broader educational discourse and complementary works, such as Grading for Equity (Feldman, 2023), this review highlights the urgent need to rethink how student achievement is measured and valued.