Ungraded

Ungraded is an adjective meaning not assigned a grade or not subjected to formal grading. In education, the term is applied to assessments, coursework, or programs that do not yield traditional letter or numeric grades.

Ungraded assessments emphasize feedback and mastery rather than scoring. They may use pass/fail, narrative evaluations, portfolios, or performance rubrics. Ungraded courses or programs are often paired with mastery-based progression or self-paced learning, where students advance upon demonstrating competence rather than by age or seat time.

Ungraded schools describe institutions or classrooms without traditional grade levels; students work in mixed-age groups and advance by mastery. This approach has historical roots in the non-graded education movement and is still present in some districts and private schools. Proponents argue it can reduce competition, tailor instruction, and support diverse learners; critics raise concerns about college admissions, transparency of achievement, and equity, and emphasize the need for reliable assessment methods.

In broader usage, “ungraded” can apply to items or evaluations that lack a grade, serving as a label that no formal score is assigned.