diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/css/sequence/display.scss b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/css/sequence/display.scss
index 7d611e5bad..b15d6c27a6 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/css/sequence/display.scss
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/css/sequence/display.scss
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ nav.sequence-nav {
           outline: 0;
         }
 
-        &:hover {
+        &:hover, &:focus {
           background-color: #fff;
           background-repeat: no-repeat;
           background-position: center 14px;
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ nav.sequence-nav {
           }
         }
 
-        &:hover {
+        &:hover, &:focus {
           p {
             display: block;
             margin-top: 4px;
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/js/src/sequence/display.coffee b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/js/src/sequence/display.coffee
index 26246644ea..686c1963aa 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/js/src/sequence/display.coffee
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/js/src/sequence/display.coffee
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ class @Sequence
 
       sequence_links = @$('#seq_content a.seqnav')
       sequence_links.click @goto
+    @$("a.active").blur()
 
   goto: (event) =>
     event.preventDefault()
diff --git a/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/discussion_thread_list_view.coffee b/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/discussion_thread_list_view.coffee
index 2fc31da97a..8259004893 100644
--- a/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/discussion_thread_list_view.coffee
+++ b/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/discussion_thread_list_view.coffee
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ if Backbone?
       @timer = 0
       @$el.html(@template())
 
+      $(window).bind "load", @updateSidebar
       $(window).bind "scroll", @updateSidebar
       $(window).bind "resize", @updateSidebar
 
@@ -143,6 +144,18 @@ if Backbone?
             options.group_id = @group_id
         
     
+      lastThread = @collection.last()?.get('id')
+      if lastThread
+        # Pagination; focus the first thread after what was previously the last thread
+        @once("threads:rendered", ->
+          $(".post-list li:has(a[data-id='#{lastThread}']) + li a").focus()
+        )
+      else
+        # Totally refreshing the list (e.g. from clicking a sort button); focus the first thread
+        @once("threads:rendered", ->
+          $(".post-list a").first()?.focus()
+        )
+
       @collection.retrieveAnotherPage(@mode, options, {sort_key: @sortBy})
 
     renderThread: (thread) =>
diff --git a/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/discussion_thread_show_view.coffee b/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/discussion_thread_show_view.coffee
index 46a13db83e..ef873d961c 100644
--- a/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/discussion_thread_show_view.coffee
+++ b/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/discussion_thread_show_view.coffee
@@ -42,8 +42,10 @@ if Backbone?
     renderVoted: =>
       if window.user.voted(@model)
         @$("[data-role=discussion-vote]").addClass("is-cast")
+        @$("[data-role=discussion-vote] span.sr").html("votes (click to remove your vote)")
       else
         @$("[data-role=discussion-vote]").removeClass("is-cast")
+        @$("[data-role=discussion-vote] span.sr").html("votes (click to vote)")
         
     renderFlagged: =>
       if window.user.id in @model.get("abuse_flaggers") or (DiscussionUtil.isFlagModerator and @model.get("abuse_flaggers").length > 0)
@@ -70,7 +72,12 @@ if Backbone?
       @renderVoted()
       @renderFlagged()
       @renderPinned()
-      @$("[data-role=discussion-vote] .votes-count-number").html(@model.get("votes")["up_count"])
+      @$("[data-role=discussion-vote] .votes-count-number").html(@model.get("votes")["up_count"] + '<span class ="sr"></span>')
+      if window.user.voted(@model)
+        @$("[data-role=discussion-vote] .votes-count-number span.sr").html("votes (click to remove your vote)")
+      else
+        @$("[data-role=discussion-vote] .votes-count-number span.sr").html("votes (click to vote)")
+
 
     convertMath: ->
       element = @$(".post-body")
diff --git a/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/thread_response_show_view.coffee b/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/thread_response_show_view.coffee
index cb67125b9f..43b2d3055e 100644
--- a/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/thread_response_show_view.coffee
+++ b/common/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/thread_response_show_view.coffee
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ if Backbone?
       @delegateEvents()
       if window.user.voted(@model)
         @$(".vote-btn").addClass("is-cast")
+        @$(".vote-btn span.sr").html("votes (click to remove your vote)")
       @renderAttrs()
       @renderFlagged()
       @$el.find(".posted-details").timeago()
@@ -48,12 +49,14 @@ if Backbone?
       @$(".vote-btn").toggleClass("is-cast")
       if @$(".vote-btn").hasClass("is-cast")
         @vote()
+        @$(".vote-btn span.sr").html("votes (click to remove your vote)")
       else
         @unvote()
+        @$(".vote-btn span.sr").html("votes (click to vote)")
 
     vote: ->
       url = @model.urlFor("upvote")
-      @$(".votes-count-number").html(parseInt(@$(".votes-count-number").html()) + 1)
+      @$(".votes-count-number").html((parseInt(@$(".votes-count-number").html()) + 1) + '<span class="sr"></span>')
       DiscussionUtil.safeAjax
         $elem: @$(".discussion-vote")
         url: url
@@ -64,7 +67,7 @@ if Backbone?
 
     unvote: ->
       url = @model.urlFor("unvote")
-      @$(".votes-count-number").html(parseInt(@$(".votes-count-number").html()) - 1)
+      @$(".votes-count-number").html((parseInt(@$(".votes-count-number").html()) - 1)+'<span class="sr"></span>')
       DiscussionUtil.safeAjax
         $elem: @$(".discussion-vote")
         url: url
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
index c5b1b21b52..a32217ab30 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
@@ -512,7 +512,7 @@ class TestInstructorAPILevelsDataDump(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCa
     def test_get_student_progress_url(self):
         """ Test that progress_url is in the successful response. """
         url = reverse('get_student_progress_url', kwargs={'course_id': self.course.id})
-        url += "?student_email={}".format(
+        url += "?unique_student_identifier={}".format(
             quote(self.students[0].email.encode("utf-8"))
         )
         print url
@@ -522,6 +522,19 @@ class TestInstructorAPILevelsDataDump(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCa
         res_json = json.loads(response.content)
         self.assertIn('progress_url', res_json)
 
+    def test_get_student_progress_url_from_uname(self):
+        """ Test that progress_url is in the successful response. """
+        url = reverse('get_student_progress_url', kwargs={'course_id': self.course.id})
+        url += "?unique_student_identifier={}".format(
+            quote(self.students[0].username.encode("utf-8"))
+        )
+        print url
+        response = self.client.get(url)
+        print response
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+        res_json = json.loads(response.content)
+        self.assertIn('progress_url', res_json)
+
     def test_get_student_progress_url_noparams(self):
         """ Test that the endpoint 404's without the required query params. """
         url = reverse('get_student_progress_url', kwargs={'course_id': self.course.id})
@@ -579,7 +592,7 @@ class TestInstructorAPIRegradeTask(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCase)
         url = reverse('reset_student_attempts', kwargs={'course_id': self.course.id})
         response = self.client.get(url, {
             'problem_to_reset': self.problem_urlname,
-            'student_email': self.student.email,
+            'unique_student_identifier': self.student.email,
         })
         print response.content
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
@@ -608,7 +621,7 @@ class TestInstructorAPIRegradeTask(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCase)
         url = reverse('reset_student_attempts', kwargs={'course_id': self.course.id})
         response = self.client.get(url, {
             'problem_to_reset': 'robot-not-a-real-module',
-            'student_email': self.student.email,
+            'unique_student_identifier': self.student.email,
         })
         print response.content
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 400)
@@ -618,7 +631,7 @@ class TestInstructorAPIRegradeTask(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCase)
         url = reverse('reset_student_attempts', kwargs={'course_id': self.course.id})
         response = self.client.get(url, {
             'problem_to_reset': self.problem_urlname,
-            'student_email': self.student.email,
+            'unique_student_identifier': self.student.email,
             'delete_module': True,
         })
         print response.content
@@ -634,11 +647,11 @@ class TestInstructorAPIRegradeTask(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCase)
         )
 
     def test_reset_student_attempts_nonsense(self):
-        """ Test failure with both student_email and all_students. """
+        """ Test failure with both unique_student_identifier and all_students. """
         url = reverse('reset_student_attempts', kwargs={'course_id': self.course.id})
         response = self.client.get(url, {
             'problem_to_reset': self.problem_urlname,
-            'student_email': self.student.email,
+            'unique_student_identifier': self.student.email,
             'all_students': True,
         })
         print response.content
@@ -650,7 +663,19 @@ class TestInstructorAPIRegradeTask(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCase)
         url = reverse('rescore_problem', kwargs={'course_id': self.course.id})
         response = self.client.get(url, {
             'problem_to_reset': self.problem_urlname,
-            'student_email': self.student.email,
+            'unique_student_identifier': self.student.email,
+        })
+        print response.content
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+        self.assertTrue(act.called)
+
+    @patch.object(instructor_task.api, 'submit_rescore_problem_for_student')
+    def test_rescore_problem_single_from_uname(self, act):
+        """ Test rescoring of a single student. """
+        url = reverse('rescore_problem', kwargs={'course_id': self.course.id})
+        response = self.client.get(url, {
+            'problem_to_reset': self.problem_urlname,
+            'unique_student_identifier': self.student.username,
         })
         print response.content
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
@@ -747,7 +772,7 @@ class TestInstructorAPITaskLists(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCase):
         url = reverse('list_instructor_tasks', kwargs={'course_id': self.course.id})
         response = self.client.get(url, {
             'problem_urlname': self.problem_urlname,
-            'student_email': self.student.email,
+            'unique_student_identifier': self.student.email,
         })
         print response.content
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
index 8a552feb66..e0b047604e 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ import instructor_task.api
 from instructor_task.api_helper import AlreadyRunningError
 import instructor.enrollment as enrollment
 from instructor.enrollment import enroll_email, unenroll_email
-from instructor.views.tools import strip_if_string
+from instructor.views.tools import strip_if_string, get_student_from_identifier
 import instructor.access as access
 import analytics.basic
 import analytics.distributions
@@ -456,20 +456,19 @@ def get_distribution(request, course_id):
 @common_exceptions_400
 @require_level('staff')
 @require_query_params(
-    student_email="email of student for whom to get progress url"
+    unique_student_identifier="email or username of student for whom to get progress url"
 )
 def get_student_progress_url(request, course_id):
     """
     Get the progress url of a student.
     Limited to staff access.
 
-    Takes query paremeter student_email and if the student exists
+    Takes query paremeter unique_student_identifier and if the student exists
     returns e.g. {
         'progress_url': '/../...'
     }
     """
-    student_email = strip_if_string(request.GET.get('student_email'))
-    user = User.objects.get(email=student_email)
+    user = get_student_from_identifier(request.GET.get('unique_student_identifier'))
 
     progress_url = reverse('student_progress', kwargs={'course_id': course_id, 'student_id': user.id})
 
@@ -496,7 +495,7 @@ def reset_student_attempts(request, course_id):
 
     Takes some of the following query paremeters
         - problem_to_reset is a urlname of a problem
-        - student_email is an email
+        - unique_student_identifier is an email or username
         - all_students is a boolean
             requires instructor access
             mutually exclusive with delete_module
@@ -510,14 +509,17 @@ def reset_student_attempts(request, course_id):
     )
 
     problem_to_reset = strip_if_string(request.GET.get('problem_to_reset'))
-    student_email = strip_if_string(request.GET.get('student_email'))
+    student_identifier = request.GET.get('unique_student_identifier', None)
+    student = None
+    if student_identifier is not None:
+        student = get_student_from_identifier(student_identifier)
     all_students = request.GET.get('all_students', False) in ['true', 'True', True]
     delete_module = request.GET.get('delete_module', False) in ['true', 'True', True]
 
     # parameter combinations
-    if all_students and student_email:
+    if all_students and student:
         return HttpResponseBadRequest(
-            "all_students and student_email are mutually exclusive."
+            "all_students and unique_student_identifier are mutually exclusive."
         )
     if all_students and delete_module:
         return HttpResponseBadRequest(
@@ -534,15 +536,16 @@ def reset_student_attempts(request, course_id):
     response_payload = {}
     response_payload['problem_to_reset'] = problem_to_reset
 
-    if student_email:
+    if student:
         try:
-            student = User.objects.get(email=student_email)
             enrollment.reset_student_attempts(course_id, student, module_state_key, delete_module=delete_module)
         except StudentModule.DoesNotExist:
             return HttpResponseBadRequest("Module does not exist.")
+        response_payload['student'] = student_identifier
     elif all_students:
         instructor_task.api.submit_reset_problem_attempts_for_all_students(request, course_id, module_state_key)
         response_payload['task'] = 'created'
+        response_payload['student'] = 'All Students'
     else:
         return HttpResponseBadRequest()
 
@@ -561,21 +564,25 @@ def rescore_problem(request, course_id):
 
     Takes either of the following query paremeters
         - problem_to_reset is a urlname of a problem
-        - student_email is an email
+        - unique_student_identifier is an email or username
         - all_students is a boolean
 
-    all_students and student_email cannot both be present.
+    all_students and unique_student_identifier cannot both be present.
     """
     problem_to_reset = strip_if_string(request.GET.get('problem_to_reset'))
-    student_email = strip_if_string(request.GET.get('student_email', False))
+    student_identifier = request.GET.get('unique_student_identifier', None)
+    student = None
+    if student_identifier is not None:
+        student = get_student_from_identifier(student_identifier)
+
     all_students = request.GET.get('all_students') in ['true', 'True', True]
 
-    if not (problem_to_reset and (all_students or student_email)):
+    if not (problem_to_reset and (all_students or student)):
         return HttpResponseBadRequest("Missing query parameters.")
 
-    if all_students and student_email:
+    if all_students and student:
         return HttpResponseBadRequest(
-            "Cannot rescore with all_students and student_email."
+            "Cannot rescore with all_students and unique_student_identifier."
         )
 
     module_state_key = _msk_from_problem_urlname(course_id, problem_to_reset)
@@ -583,9 +590,8 @@ def rescore_problem(request, course_id):
     response_payload = {}
     response_payload['problem_to_reset'] = problem_to_reset
 
-    if student_email:
-        response_payload['student_email'] = student_email
-        student = User.objects.get(email=student_email)
+    if student:
+        response_payload['student'] = student_identifier
         instructor_task.api.submit_rescore_problem_for_student(request, course_id, module_state_key, student)
         response_payload['task'] = 'created'
     elif all_students:
@@ -608,21 +614,22 @@ def list_instructor_tasks(request, course_id):
     Takes optional query paremeters.
         - With no arguments, lists running tasks.
         - `problem_urlname` lists task history for problem
-        - `problem_urlname` and `student_email` lists task
+        - `problem_urlname` and `unique_student_identifier` lists task
             history for problem AND student (intersection)
     """
     problem_urlname = strip_if_string(request.GET.get('problem_urlname', False))
-    student_email = strip_if_string(request.GET.get('student_email', False))
+    student = request.GET.get('unique_student_identifier', None)
+    if student is not None:
+        student = get_student_from_identifier(student)
 
-    if student_email and not problem_urlname:
+    if student and not problem_urlname:
         return HttpResponseBadRequest(
-            "student_email must accompany problem_urlname"
+            "unique_student_identifier must accompany problem_urlname"
         )
 
     if problem_urlname:
         module_state_key = _msk_from_problem_urlname(course_id, problem_urlname)
-        if student_email:
-            student = User.objects.get(email=student_email)
+        if student:
             tasks = instructor_task.api.get_instructor_task_history(course_id, module_state_key, student)
         else:
             tasks = instructor_task.api.get_instructor_task_history(course_id, module_state_key)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py
index 9634005b87..e248d47a59 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def instructor_dashboard_2(request, course_id):
         raise Http404()
 
     sections = [
-        _section_course_info(course_id),
+        _section_course_info(course_id, access),
         _section_membership(course_id, access),
         _section_student_admin(course_id, access),
         _section_data_download(course_id),
@@ -67,18 +67,21 @@ section_display_name will be used to generate link titles in the nav bar.
 """  # pylint: disable=W0105
 
 
-def _section_course_info(course_id):
+def _section_course_info(course_id, access):
     """ Provide data for the corresponding dashboard section """
     course = get_course_by_id(course_id, depth=None)
 
-    section_data = {}
-    section_data['section_key'] = 'course_info'
-    section_data['section_display_name'] = _('Course Info')
-    section_data['course_id'] = course_id
-    section_data['course_display_name'] = course.display_name
-    section_data['enrollment_count'] = CourseEnrollment.objects.filter(course_id=course_id, is_active=1).count()
-    section_data['has_started'] = course.has_started()
-    section_data['has_ended'] = course.has_ended()
+    section_data = {
+        'section_key': 'course_info',
+        'section_display_name': _('Course Info'),
+        'course_id': course_id,
+        'access': access,
+        'course_display_name': course.display_name,
+        'enrollment_count': CourseEnrollment.objects.filter(course_id=course_id).count(),
+        'has_started': course.has_started(),
+        'has_ended': course.has_ended(),
+        'list_instructor_tasks_url': reverse('list_instructor_tasks', kwargs={'course_id': course_id}),
+    }
 
     try:
         advance = lambda memo, (letter, score): "{}: {}, ".format(letter, score) + memo
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/tools.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/tools.py
index 11fc135976..cbf6b6468a 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/tools.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/tools.py
@@ -1,7 +1,25 @@
 """
 Tools for the instructor dashboard
 """
+from django.contrib.auth.models import User
+
 def strip_if_string(value):
     if isinstance(value, basestring):
         return value.strip()
     return value
+
+
+def get_student_from_identifier(unique_student_identifier):
+    """
+    Gets a student object using either an email address or username.
+
+    Returns the student object associated with `unique_student_identifier`
+
+    Raises User.DoesNotExist if no user object can be found.
+    """
+    unique_student_identifier = strip_if_string(unique_student_identifier)
+    if "@" in unique_student_identifier:
+        student = User.objects.get(email=unique_student_identifier)
+    else:
+        student = User.objects.get(username=unique_student_identifier)
+    return student
diff --git a/lms/static/coffee/src/customwmd.coffee b/lms/static/coffee/src/customwmd.coffee
index 838112059e..2dabc3ed15 100644
--- a/lms/static/coffee/src/customwmd.coffee
+++ b/lms/static/coffee/src/customwmd.coffee
@@ -131,9 +131,11 @@ $ ->
         initialText = $elem.html()
         $elem.empty()
         _append = appended_id || ""
+        wmdInputId = "wmd-input#{_append}"
         $wmdPanel = $("<div>").addClass("wmd-panel")
                    .append($("<div>").attr("id", "wmd-button-bar#{_append}"))
-                   .append($("<textarea>").addClass("wmd-input").attr("id", "wmd-input#{_append}").html(initialText))
+                   .append($("<label>").addClass("sr").attr("for", wmdInputId).text("Post body"))
+                   .append($("<textarea>").addClass("wmd-input").attr("id", wmdInputId).html(initialText))
                    .append($("<div>").attr("id", "wmd-preview#{_append}").addClass("wmd-panel wmd-preview"))
         $elem.append($wmdPanel)
 
diff --git a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/student_admin.coffee b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/student_admin.coffee
index 7e40eb98d4..3e5c8c27c2 100644
--- a/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/student_admin.coffee
+++ b/lms/static/coffee/src/instructor_dashboard/student_admin.coffee
@@ -80,12 +80,13 @@ class StudentAdmin
     # gather buttons
     # some buttons are optional because they can be flipped by the instructor task feature switch
     # student-specific
-    @$field_student_select        = find_and_assert @$section, "input[name='student-select']"
+    @$field_student_select_progress = find_and_assert @$section, "input[name='student-select-progress']"
+    @$field_student_select_grade  = find_and_assert @$section, "input[name='student-select-grade']"
     @$progress_link               = find_and_assert @$section, "a.progress-link"
-    @$btn_enroll                  = find_and_assert @$section, "input[name='enroll']"
-    @$btn_unenroll                = find_and_assert @$section, "input[name='unenroll']"
     @$field_problem_select_single = find_and_assert @$section, "input[name='problem-select-single']"
     @$btn_reset_attempts_single   = find_and_assert @$section, "input[name='reset-attempts-single']"
+    @$btn_enroll                  = @$section.find "input[name='enroll']"
+    @$btn_unenroll                = @$section.find "input[name='unenroll']"
     @$btn_delete_state_single     = @$section.find "input[name='delete-state-single']"
     @$btn_rescore_problem_single  = @$section.find "input[name='rescore-problem-single']"
     @$btn_task_history_single     = @$section.find "input[name='task-history-single']"
@@ -100,7 +101,8 @@ class StudentAdmin
     @$table_running_tasks         = @$section.find ".running-tasks-table"
 
     # response areas
-    @$request_response_error_single = find_and_assert @$section, ".student-specific-container .request-response-error"
+    @$request_response_error_progress = find_and_assert @$section, ".student-specific-container .request-response-error"
+    @$request_response_error_grade = find_and_assert @$section, ".student-grade-container .request-response-error"
     @$request_response_error_all    = @$section.find ".course-specific-container .request-response-error"
 
     # start polling for task list
@@ -117,21 +119,23 @@ class StudentAdmin
     # go to student progress page
     @$progress_link.click (e) =>
       e.preventDefault()
-      email = @$field_student_select.val()
+      unique_student_identifier = @$field_student_select_progress.val()
+      if not unique_student_identifier
+        return @$request_response_error_progress.text "Please enter a student email address or username."
 
       $.ajax
         dataType: 'json'
         url: @$progress_link.data 'endpoint'
-        data: student_email: email
+        data: unique_student_identifier: unique_student_identifier
         success: @clear_errors_then (data) ->
           window.location = data.progress_url
-        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error getting student progress url for '#{email}'."
+        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_progress.text "Error getting student progress url for '#{unique_student_identifier}'."
 
     # enroll student
     @$btn_enroll.click =>
       send_data =
         action: 'enroll'
-        emails: @$field_student_select.val()
+        emails: @$field_student_select_progress.val()
         auto_enroll: false
 
       $.ajax
@@ -139,74 +143,95 @@ class StudentAdmin
         url: @$btn_enroll.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
         success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log "student #{send_data.emails} enrolled"
-        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error enrolling student '#{send_data.emails}'."
+        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_progress.text "Error enrolling student '#{send_data.emails}'."
 
     # unenroll student
     @$btn_unenroll.click =>
       send_data =
         action: 'unenroll'
-        emails: @$field_student_select.val()
+        emails: @$field_student_select_progress.val()
 
       $.ajax
         dataType: 'json'
         url: @$btn_unenroll.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
         success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log "student #{send_data.emails} unenrolled"
-        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error unenrolling student '#{send_data.emails}'."
+        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_progress.text "Error unenrolling student '#{send_data.emails}'."
 
     # reset attempts for student on problem
     @$btn_reset_attempts_single.click =>
+      unique_student_identifier = @$field_student_select_grade.val()
+      problem_to_reset = @$field_problem_select_single.val()
+      if not unique_student_identifier
+        return @$request_response_error_grade.text "Please enter a student email address or username."
+      if not problem_to_reset
+        return @$request_response_error_grade.text "Please enter a problem urlname."
       send_data =
-        student_email: @$field_student_select.val()
-        problem_to_reset: @$field_problem_select_single.val()
+        unique_student_identifier: unique_student_identifier
+        problem_to_reset: problem_to_reset
         delete_module: false
 
       $.ajax
         dataType: 'json'
         url: @$btn_reset_attempts_single.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
-        success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log 'problem attempts reset'
-        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error resetting problem attempts."
+        success: @clear_errors_then -> alert "Success! Problem attempts reset for problem '#{problem_to_reset}' and student '#{unique_student_identifier}'."
+        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_grade.text "Error resetting problem attempts for problem '#{problem_to_reset}' and student '#{unique_student_identifier}'."
 
     # delete state for student on problem
-    @$btn_delete_state_single.click => confirm_then
-      msg: "Delete student '#{@$field_student_select.val()}'s state on problem '#{@$field_problem_select_single.val()}'?"
-      ok: =>
+    @$btn_delete_state_single.click =>
+      unique_student_identifier = @$field_student_select_grade.val()
+      problem_to_reset = @$field_problem_select_single.val()
+      if not unique_student_identifier
+        return @$request_response_error_grade.text "Please enter a student email address or username."
+      if not problem_to_reset
+        return @$request_response_error_grade.text "Please enter a problem urlname."
+
+      if window.confirm "Delete student '#{unique_student_identifier}'s state on problem '#{problem_to_reset}'?"
         send_data =
-          student_email: @$field_student_select.val()
-          problem_to_reset: @$field_problem_select_single.val()
+          unique_student_identifier: unique_student_identifier
+          problem_to_reset: problem_to_reset
           delete_module: true
 
         $.ajax
           dataType: 'json'
           url: @$btn_delete_state_single.data 'endpoint'
           data: send_data
-          success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log 'module state deleted'
-          error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error deleting problem state."
+          success: @clear_errors_then -> alert 'Module state successfully deleted.'
+          error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_grade.text "Error deleting problem state."
+      else
+        @clear_errors()
 
     # start task to rescore problem for student
     @$btn_rescore_problem_single.click =>
+      unique_student_identifier = @$field_student_select_grade.val()
+      problem_to_reset = @$field_problem_select_single.val()
+      if not unique_student_identifier
+        return @$request_response_error_grade.text "Please enter a student email address or username."
+      if not problem_to_reset
+        return @$request_response_error_grade.text "Please enter a problem urlname."
       send_data =
-        student_email: @$field_student_select.val()
-        problem_to_reset: @$field_problem_select_single.val()
+        unique_student_identifier: unique_student_identifier
+        problem_to_reset: problem_to_reset
 
       $.ajax
         dataType: 'json'
         url: @$btn_rescore_problem_single.data 'endpoint'
         data: send_data
-        success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log 'started rescore problem task'
-        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error starting a task to rescore student's problem."
+        success: @clear_errors_then -> alert "Started rescore problem task for problem '#{problem_to_reset}' and student '#{unique_student_identifier}'. Click the 'Show Background Task History for Student' button to see the status of the task."
+        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_grade.text "Error starting a task to rescore problem '#{problem_to_reset}' for student '#{unique_student_identifier}'."
 
     # list task history for student+problem
     @$btn_task_history_single.click =>
+      unique_student_identifier = @$field_student_select_grade.val()
+      problem_to_reset = @$field_problem_select_single.val()
+      if not unique_student_identifier
+        return @$request_response_error_grade.text "Please enter a student email address or username."
+      if not problem_to_reset
+        return @$request_response_error_grade.text "Please enter a problem urlname."
       send_data =
-        student_email: @$field_student_select.val()
-        problem_urlname: @$field_problem_select_single.val()
-
-      if not send_data.student_email
-        return @$request_response_error_single.text "Enter a student email."
-      if not send_data.problem_urlname
-        return @$request_response_error_single.text "Enter a problem urlname."
+        unique_student_identifier: unique_student_identifier
+        problem_urlname: problem_to_reset
 
       $.ajax
         dataType: 'json'
@@ -214,37 +239,45 @@ class StudentAdmin
         data: send_data
         success: @clear_errors_then (data) =>
           create_task_list_table @$table_task_history_single, data.tasks
-        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_single.text "Error getting task history for student+problem"
+        error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_grade.text "Error getting task history for student '#{unique_student_identifier}' and problem '#{problem_to_reset}'."
 
     # start task to reset attempts on problem for all students
-    @$btn_reset_attempts_all.click => confirm_then
-      msg: "Reset attempts for all students on problem '#{@$field_problem_select_all.val()}'?"
-      ok: =>
+    @$btn_reset_attempts_all.click =>
+      problem_to_reset = @$field_problem_select_all.val()
+      if not problem_to_reset
+        return @$request_response_error_all.text "Please enter a problem urlname."
+      if window.confirm "Reset attempts for all students on problem '#{@$field_problem_select_all.val()}'?"
         send_data =
           all_students: true
-          problem_to_reset: @$field_problem_select_all.val()
+          problem_to_reset: problem_to_reset
 
         $.ajax
           dataType: 'json'
           url: @$btn_reset_attempts_all.data 'endpoint'
           data: send_data
-          success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log 'started reset attempts task'
+          success: @clear_errors_then -> alert "Successfully started task to reset attempts for problem '#{problem_to_reset}'. Click the 'Show Background Task History for Problem' button to see the status of the task."
           error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_all.text "Error starting a task to reset attempts for all students on this problem."
+      else
+        @clear_errors()
 
     # start task to rescore problem for all students
-    @$btn_rescore_problem_all.click => confirm_then
-      msg: "Rescore problem '#{@$field_problem_select_all.val()}' for all students?"
-      ok: =>
+    @$btn_rescore_problem_all.click =>
+      problem_to_reset = @$field_problem_select_all.val()
+      if not problem_to_reset
+        return @$request_response_error_all.text "Please enter a problem urlname."
+      if window.confirm "Rescore problem '#{@$field_problem_select_all.val()}' for all students?"
         send_data =
           all_students: true
-          problem_to_reset: @$field_problem_select_all.val()
+          problem_to_reset: problem_to_reset
 
         $.ajax
           dataType: 'json'
           url: @$btn_rescore_problem_all.data 'endpoint'
           data: send_data
-          success: @clear_errors_then -> console.log 'started rescore problem task'
+          success: @clear_errors_then -> alert "Successfully started task to rescore problem '#{problem_to_reset}' for all students. Click the 'Show Background Task History for Problem' button to see the status of the task."
           error: std_ajax_err => @$request_response_error_all.text "Error starting a task to rescore this problem for all students."
+      else
+        @clear_errors()
 
     # list task history for problem
     @$btn_task_history_all.click =>
@@ -252,7 +285,7 @@ class StudentAdmin
         problem_urlname: @$field_problem_select_all.val()
 
       if not send_data.problem_urlname
-        return @$request_response_error_all.text "Enter a problem urlname."
+        return @$request_response_error_all.text "Please enter a problem urlname."
 
       $.ajax
         dataType: 'json'
@@ -272,11 +305,18 @@ class StudentAdmin
 
   # wraps a function, but first clear the error displays
   clear_errors_then: (cb) ->
-    @$request_response_error_single.empty()
+    @$request_response_error_progress.empty()
+    @$request_response_error_grade.empty()
     @$request_response_error_all.empty()
     ->
       cb?.apply this, arguments
 
+
+  clear_errors: ->
+    @$request_response_error_progress.empty()
+    @$request_response_error_grade.empty()
+    @$request_response_error_all.empty()
+
   # handler for when the section title is clicked.
   onClickTitle: -> @task_poller?.start()
 
diff --git a/lms/static/sass/_discussion.scss b/lms/static/sass/_discussion.scss
index a685404d34..cd87927fc1 100644
--- a/lms/static/sass/_discussion.scss
+++ b/lms/static/sass/_discussion.scss
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
   text-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, .3);
   box-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4) inset, 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, .15);
 
-  &:hover {
+  &:hover, &:focus {
     border-color: #297095;
     @include linear-gradient(top, #4fbbe4, #2090d0);
   }
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
   text-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6);
   box-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4) inset, 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, .15);
 
-  &:hover {
+  &:hover, &:focus {
     @include linear-gradient(top, $white, #ddd);
   }
 }
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
   text-shadow: 0 -1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
   box-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4) inset, 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, .15);
 
-  &:hover {
+  &:hover, &:focus {
     background: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, #888, #666);
   }
 }
@@ -217,8 +217,7 @@ body.discussion {
           color: #eee;
           @include transition(none);
 
-          &:hover,
-          &.focused {
+          &:hover, &:focus {
             background-color: #666;
           }
 
@@ -305,7 +304,7 @@ body.discussion {
       padding-bottom: 2px;
       height: 37px;
 
-      &:hover {
+      &:hover, &:focus {
         border-color: #222;
       }
     }
@@ -436,7 +435,7 @@ body.discussion {
       height: 37px;
       border-color: #333;
 
-      &:hover {
+      &:hover, &:focus {
         border-color: #222;
       }
     }
@@ -714,7 +713,7 @@ body.discussion {
       height: 100%;
       background-color: #dedede;
 
-      &:hover {
+      &:hover, &:focus {
         background-color: $white;
       }
     }
@@ -881,8 +880,7 @@ body.discussion {
           display: none;
         }
 
-        &:hover,
-        &.focused {
+        &:hover, &:focus {
           background-color: #636363;
         }
 
@@ -1015,7 +1013,7 @@ body.discussion {
       color: #333;
       line-height: 17px;
 
-      &:hover {
+      &:hover, &:focus {
         @include linear-gradient(top, rgba(255, 255, 255, .4), rgba(255, 255, 255, .2));
         color: #333;
       }
@@ -1067,7 +1065,7 @@ body.discussion {
       line-height: 33px;
       text-align: center;
 
-      &:hover {
+      &:hover, &:focus {
         background-image: none;
         background-color: #e6e6e6;
       }
@@ -1086,7 +1084,7 @@ body.discussion {
       background-color: $white;
       @include clearfix;
 
-      &:hover {
+      &:hover, &:focus {
         @include linear-gradient(top, rgba(255, 255, 255, .7), rgba(255, 255, 255, 0));
         background-color: #eee;
       }
@@ -2225,7 +2223,7 @@ body.discussion {
         padding-bottom: 2px;
         border-color: #333;
 
-        &:hover {
+        &:hover, &:focus {
           border-color: #222;
         }
       }
@@ -2522,7 +2520,7 @@ body.discussion {
       margin-top: $baseline/2;
       padding-bottom: 2px;
 
-      &:hover {
+      &:hover, &:focus {
         border-color: #222;
       }
     }
@@ -2596,7 +2594,7 @@ body.discussion {
         cursor: pointer;
       }
 
-      &:hover {
+      &:hover, &:focus {
         @include transition(opacity .2s linear 0s);
         opacity: 1.0;
       }
@@ -2659,7 +2657,7 @@ display:none;
   cursor:pointer;
   opacity: 0.8;
 
-  &:hover {
+  &:hover, &:focus {
     @include transition(opacity .2s linear 0s);
     opacity: 1.0;
   }
diff --git a/lms/templates/combinedopenended/combined_open_ended_results.html b/lms/templates/combinedopenended/combined_open_ended_results.html
index b8235470f4..4e357cb129 100644
--- a/lms/templates/combinedopenended/combined_open_ended_results.html
+++ b/lms/templates/combinedopenended/combined_open_ended_results.html
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <%! from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _ %>
-% num_results = len(results)
+<% num_results = len(results) %>
 % for (i,result) in enumerate(results):
     % if 'task_name' in result and 'result' in result:
         <div class="combined-rubric-container"
diff --git a/lms/templates/courseware/instructor_dashboard.html b/lms/templates/courseware/instructor_dashboard.html
index 7f41c82c9d..7b06d8e309 100644
--- a/lms/templates/courseware/instructor_dashboard.html
+++ b/lms/templates/courseware/instructor_dashboard.html
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ function goto( mode)
     <hr width="40%" style="align:left">
   %endif
 
-    <H2>${_("Student-specific grade inspection and adjustment")}</h2>
+    <h2>${_("Student-specific grade inspection and adjustment")}</h2>
     <p>
       ${_("Specify the {platform_name} email address or username of a student here:").format(platform_name=settings.PLATFORM_NAME)}
       <input type="text" name="unique_student_identifier">
diff --git a/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/course_info.html b/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/course_info.html
index 9b4114d95c..cb113e1846 100644
--- a/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/course_info.html
+++ b/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/course_info.html
@@ -38,8 +38,21 @@
 ##   ${ section_data['offline_grades'] }
 ## </div>
 
+%if settings.MITX_FEATURES.get('ENABLE_INSTRUCTOR_BACKGROUND_TASKS') and section_data['access']['instructor']:
+  <div class="running-tasks-container action-type-container">
+    <hr>
+    <h2> ${_("Pending Instructor Tasks")} </h2>
+    <p>${_("The status for any active tasks appears in a table below.")} </p>
+
+    <div class="running-tasks-table" data-endpoint="${ section_data['list_instructor_tasks_url'] }"></div>
+  </div>
+
+%endif
+
 %if len(section_data['course_errors']):
   <div class="course-errors-wrapper">
+    <hr>
+    <p>
     <div class="toggle-wrapper">
       <h2 class="title">${_("Course Warnings")}:</h2>
       <div class="triangle"></div>
@@ -52,5 +65,10 @@
         </div>
       %endfor
     </div>
+    <p>
   </div>
+<br>
 %endif
+
+
+
diff --git a/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/student_admin.html b/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/student_admin.html
index 6b6da617f6..f3fc7b6054 100644
--- a/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/student_admin.html
+++ b/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/student_admin.html
@@ -2,25 +2,49 @@
 <%page args="section_data"/>
 
 <div class="student-specific-container action-type-container">
-  <H2>${_("Student-specific grade adjustment")}</h2>
+  <h2>${_("Student-specific grade inspection")}</h2>
   <div class="request-response-error"></div>
-
-  <input type="text" name="student-select" placeholder="${_("Student Email")}">
+  <p>
+    <!-- Doesn't work for username but this MUST work -->
+  ${_("Specify the {platform_name} email address or username of a student here:").format(platform_name=settings.PLATFORM_NAME)}
+  <input type="text" name="student-select-progress" placeholder="${_("Student Email or Username")}">
+  </p>
   <br>
 
   <div class="progress-link-wrapper">
-    <a href="" class="progress-link" data-endpoint="${ section_data['get_student_progress_url_url'] }"> ${_("Student Progress Page")} </a>
-  </div>
+  <p>
+    ${_("Click this link to view the student's progress page:")}
 
+    <a href="" class="progress-link" data-endpoint="${ section_data['get_student_progress_url_url'] }"> ${_("Student Progress Page")} </a>
+  </p>
+  </div>
   <br>
+
+  <!-- These buttons don't appear to be working
+  <p>
+    ${_("Click to enroll or unenroll this student from the course:")}
   <input type="button" name="enroll" value="${_("Enroll")}" data-endpoint="${ section_data['enrollment_url'] }">
   <input type="button" name="unenroll" value="${_("Unenroll")}" data-endpoint="${ section_data['enrollment_url'] }">
-  ## <select class="problems">
-  ##   <option>Getting problems...</option>
-  ## </select>
+  </p>
+  -->
 
-  <p> ${_('Specify a particular problem in the course here by its url:')} </p>
+  <hr>
+</div>
+
+<div class="student-grade-container action-type-container">
+  <h2>${_("Student-specific grade adjustment")}</h2>
+  <div class="request-response-error"></div>
+  <p>
+    <!-- Doesn't work for username but this MUST work -->
+  ${_("Specify the {platform_name} email address or username of a student here:").format(platform_name=settings.PLATFORM_NAME)}
+  <input type="text" name="student-select-grade" placeholder="${_("Student Email or Username")}">
+  </p>
+  <br>
+
+  <p> ${_('Specify a particular problem in the course here by its url:')} 
   <input type="text" name="problem-select-single" placeholder="${_("Problem urlname")}">
+  </p>
+
   <p>
     ${_('You may use just the "urlname" if a problem, or "modulename/urlname" if not. (For example, if the location is {location1}, then just provide the {urlname1}. If the location is {location2}, then provide {urlname2}.)').format(
     location1="<tt>i4x://university/course/problem/problemname</tt>",
@@ -29,20 +53,31 @@
     urlname2="<tt>notaproblem/someothername</tt>")
     }
   </p>
-  <input type="button" name="reset-attempts-single" value="${_("Reset Student Attempts")}" data-endpoint="${ section_data['reset_student_attempts_url'] }">
 
-  %if section_data['access']['instructor']:
-    <p> ${_('You may also delete the entire state of a student for the specified module:')} </p>
-    <input type="button" class="molly-guard" name="delete-state-single" value="${_("Delete Student State for Module")}" data-endpoint="${ section_data['reset_student_attempts_url'] }">
-  %endif
+  <p>
+  ${_("Next, select an action to perform for the given user and problem:")}
+  </p>
+
+  <p>
+    <!-- Doesn't give any type of notification upon success -->
+  <input type="button" name="reset-attempts-single" value="${_("Reset Student Attempts")}" data-endpoint="${ section_data['reset_student_attempts_url'] }">
 
   %if settings.MITX_FEATURES.get('ENABLE_INSTRUCTOR_BACKGROUND_TASKS') and section_data['access']['instructor']:
     <input type="button" name="rescore-problem-single" value="${_("Rescore Student Submission")}" data-endpoint="${ section_data['rescore_problem_url'] }">
   %endif
+  </p>
+
+  <p>
+  %if section_data['access']['instructor']:
+    <p> ${_('You may also delete the entire state of a student for the specified problem:')} </p>
+    <input type="button" class="molly-guard" name="delete-state-single" value="${_("Delete Student State for Problem")}" data-endpoint="${ section_data['reset_student_attempts_url'] }">
+  %endif
+  </p>
+
 
   %if settings.MITX_FEATURES.get('ENABLE_INSTRUCTOR_BACKGROUND_TASKS') and section_data['access']['instructor']:
     <p>
-      ${_("Rescoring runs in the background, and status for active tasks will appear in a table below. "
+      ${_("Rescoring runs in the background, and status for active tasks will appear in a table on the Course Info tab. "
       "To see status for all tasks submitted for this problem and student, click on this button:")}
     </p>
 
@@ -76,18 +111,11 @@
     </p>
     <p>
     <p>
-      ${_("These actions run in the background, and status for active tasks will appear in a table below. "
+      ${_("These actions run in the background, and status for active tasks will appear in a table on the Course Info tab. "
       "To see status for all tasks submitted for this problem, click on this button")}:
     </p>
       <input type="button" name="task-history-all" value="${_("Show Background Task History for Problem")}" data-endpoint="${ section_data['list_instructor_tasks_url'] }">
       <div class="task-history-all-table"></div>
     </p>
   </div>
-
-
-  <div class="running-tasks-container action-type-container">
-    <hr>
-    <h2> ${_("Pending Instructor Tasks")} </h2>
-    <div class="running-tasks-table" data-endpoint="${ section_data['list_instructor_tasks_url'] }"></div>
-  </div>
 %endif