Ken O'Connor

Ken O'Connor is an independent education consultant recognized for his expertise in grading and reporting in K–12 education. His 33-year teaching career includes roles as a geography teacher, department head, and curriculum coordinator with responsibilities for student assessment and evaluation. O'Connor served as curriculum coordinator for student assessment and evaluation and geography for the Scarborough Board of Education and the Toronto District School Board, and worked as a consultant on secondary assessment at the Ontario Ministry of Education. He holds a BA (Hon.) and Dip Ed from the University of Melbourne and an MEd from the University of Toronto.

As an independent consultant, O'Connor has provided staff development and facilitated workshops on assessment, grading, and reporting in 47 states, 10 Canadian provinces and two territories, and 35 countries outside North America. He has consulted for schools, districts, and state and provincial departments of education, focusing on effective grading practices and education reform.

O'Connor is the author of several books, including "The School Leader's Guide to Grading," "How to Grade for Learning K–12," and "A Repair Kit for Grading: 15 Fixes for Broken Grades." "How to Grade for Learning" outlines guidelines for effective grading and offers practical recommendations for implementation. His work has contributed to the ongoing conversation about the limitations of traditional grading systems and the development of more meaningful assessment strategies.

O'Connor's articles have appeared in NASSP Bulletin, Educational Leadership, and School Administrator. He is known for his focus on using grading and reporting to improve student achievement through student involvement. Through keynote addresses and interactive workshops, O'Connor encourages educators to adopt grading practices that are accurate, consistent, and supportive of student learning.