1) Grades should provide feedback to students to help improve their performance, not be used as punishment. If students are failing, the grading policy needs to change rather than blaming students. 2) Toxic grading policies like using zeroes for missing work or averaging all scores distort students' actual abilities and learning. Alternatives include allowing students to make up missing work or representing their best work. 3) A single low score, like a zero, can unfairly bring down an overall grade even when other work is perfect. Grades should accurately reflect students' mastery of concepts.