We are all subject to implicit bias, the research says, in spite of our best efforts to prevent it. In the classroom, bias has a way of seeping through the smallest cracks, subtly influencing how we perceive students, compromising accuracy in grading, and even altering a wide range of educational outcomes. But there are ways to course-correct and “significantly reduce” the impact of bias in grading, says David Quinn, assistant professor of education at the USC Rossier School of Education. 1. Slow it down: A well-formulated rubric that spells out grading criteria in advance can help reduce bias. Quinn’s research shows that a strong rubric can act as a bulwark against “the automatic cognition that filters in and influences behavior.” Rubrics prompt teachers to slow down and grade according to specific criteria. “It’s an opportunity for the impact of the bias to be reduced, rather than simply acting on a gut reaction,” Quinn says. 2. Get a second opinion: When colleagues periodically...