Canvas: Enabling Multiple Due Dates in Discussions with Discussion Checkpoints

This article describes Discussion Checkpoints: a Canvas course feature enabled in June 2025 which allows instructors to set multiple due dates for graded discussion activities.

What is Discussion Checkpoints?

The Discussions activity in Canvas has been updated to allow for multiple due dates or "checkpoints" for graded Discussions. Discussion Checkpoints allow instructors to set different due dates for student engagements with Discussions. For example, a due date can be set for the initial post to the discussion assignment prompt, and also a separate due date for required follow-up responses. The update to Discussions also affects grading so that with checkpoints enabled, dated engagements are graded separately.

Setting Up a Discussion with Checkpoints

Create a new graded Discussion or edit an existing Discussion, then define the following settings to set up checkpoints:

1. Check Graded to enable grading. When you check “Graded”, a new check box appears.
2. Check Assign graded checkpoints.
3. In Checkpoint Settings configure:
   • Points possible in Reply to Topic (this is the student’s initial post)
   • Number of Additional Replies Required (this is the student's response to their classmates’ posts)
   • Points possible for the Additional Replies.
   • Due dates and times for required replies.
4. Optional - Set a rubric if one has been established for assessment expectations.

NOTE: Rubrics do not auto-populate grades for checkpoints. Points will need to be manually added for the checkpoints in addition to scoring the students on the rubric.

For additional help with Discussion Checkpoints see the following Canvas Guides:

• How do I create a graded discussion?
  • Managing Checkpoint Settings
  • Add Checkpoint Due Dates

Working with Graded Discussion Checkpoints in Speedgrader

When Assign graded checkpoints is selected and configured for a Discussion, instructors will be able to switch between views in Speedgrader. The viewing choices are either view the Full Discussion Context or view Individual Student Posts.

When grading Discussions with Checkpoints, instructors will score the initial required Reply to Topic separately from the Required Replies to peers. Canvas will automatically add up those scores in the Current Total field.

For additional help with grading Discussion with Checkpoints see the following Canvas Guide:

• How do I grade a graded discussion in SpeedGrader?
  • Grade Discussion Checkpoint Submissions