Frequently Asked Questions about Grading & Assessment Support

What is this?

Contracted grading for nutrition, dietetics, and health science courses. I assess student work against your rubric. You are the instructor of record for the course. I serve your instructional plan. Your institutional policies and teaching standards govern, not mine.

Is this an adjunct position?

No. I'm not instructor of record and I'm not applying for a faculty line. This is a purchased, contract-based service. (If your department or university requires this to be categorized as adjunct, this can be arranged.)

What do you actually do?

Grade assignments to your rubric. Write substantive feedback. Return work on a fixed schedule. Answer student email about assignment mechanics and course policy, if you want that. Apply your late and extension policies as you've written them. Basically, I free you to focus on lectures, student advising, research, and other university commitments by offloading the time-consuming aspects of grading, assessment, and student communications regarding assignment questions.

What don't you do?

Lecture. Hold office hours. Meet with students by phone or video. Set policy. Assign final grades. I don't appear on course evaluations and I don't carry responsibility for course outcomes.

Who holds grade authority?

The instructor of record. I grade according to your set standards and policy. You can override anything and you set the calibration. Grade appeals are determined by you. Per your policy, if revise and resubmit is included, I handle this, too, so you are not re-grading everything that gets appealed once. However, my assignment feedback aims to be specific enough that a student does not have to question why they got a grade.

How does FERPA work?

Under this arrangement, I'm designated a school official with legitimate educational interest under 34 CFR 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B), which explicitly allows contractual relationships of this nature. This designation doesn't require employee status. Your registrar issues a sponsored or guest account. The designation is written into the agreement.

Are you credentialed to evaluate work in the discipline?

I have a PhD in nutrition, as well as bachelor's and master's degrees in nutrition. This meets SACSCOC and HLC standards for programs that require a terminal-degree evaluator for student work in the field. If you want to contract with me, a CV and transcripts will be provided for your credentialing file as needed.

How do we pay for this?

Two options. Contract with my LLC, invoiced against an EIN. Or bring me on as a short-term institutional appointment if your business office prefers that route. The contractor path is usually faster.

Does this require a search or a posting?

No. It's a services contract. Most departments handle it through a purchase order. It is not a permanent position, appointment, or faculty role.

What does it cost?

Rates are fixed, based on enrollment and the assignment types/volume. Nothing hourly, so no possible surprises for the department budget. After you send me course information, I provide you with a per-student quote. If enrollment drops before the add/drop date, or more students are added, this per-student number adjusts based on the specific number of students I support. Pro-rating is available for programs that bring me on partway through a semester or term.

How fast do you return work?

I commit to a fixed weekly return day rather than a turnaround window. If student deadlines are typically Sunday nights, your return day could be Monday-Thursday, depending on booking availability.

How does billing work?

Billing is tied to the semesterly calendar. A purchase order typically reserves your space for the term/semester and payments are often due mid-semester and end of semester, but specific billing terms can be agreed upon based on your department's needs and HR requirements.

Which learning platforms do you use?

I am versed in Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, and Google Classroom. I don't need training on any of them. All your IT department needs to do is to add me to the course shells you want me to grade in; this can be done using my existing email address or one that your HR department assigns if they prefer in-school email only.

What do you need to get started?

Typically a syllabus with rubrics, if available, plus what you want students to hear from me vs. what you'd rather handle yourself. I am flexible based on your teaching style/load and what best frees you up for other work. Some departments contract grading only, while others also ask me to handle student email questions, discussion board replies, and extension granting according to the course policy.

How long does setup take?

Once a contract is signed and your IT department has given me access (which typically takes 1-2 days), I can start within 2 business days after that. In some cases, I can start immediately once I gain access to the course shell.

Do you carry insurance?

Yes. I am covered by my own errors and omissions policy.

Whose contract do we use?

I supply a contract, but if your institution requires its own paper, I'll work from yours (though sometimes this can make the process take longer). Because this is a time-limited contractual assignment, it is a simple, short agreement, not a lengthy hiring contract.

How many students can you take?

That depends on my current workload, and I provide services on a first-come, first-serve basis until my roster workload is full for a term. The specific number varies based on the type of assignments and length of terms I am contracted for. A typical student load for a single department can range from 30-150.