diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/e2e/consolidation/a11y-scan.spec.ts b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/e2e/consolidation/a11y-scan.spec.ts
index 5f096a583..f05ff0261 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/e2e/consolidation/a11y-scan.spec.ts
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/e2e/consolidation/a11y-scan.spec.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import { AxeBuilder } from "@axe-core/playwright";
 
+import { gotoApp } from "../fixtures/appNav";
+import { findGradableQuestion, gotoSplitView } from "../fixtures/grader";
 import { expect, test } from "../fixtures/scratch";
 
 const scan = (page: import("@playwright/test").Page) =>
@@ -40,7 +42,7 @@ test(
   "reports assignment list axe violations",
   { tag: ["@p2", "@a11y", "@assignments"] },
   async ({ page }, testInfo) => {
-    await page.goto("/builder");
+    await gotoApp(page, "/builder");
     await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { level: 1, name: "Assignments" })).toBeVisible();
 
     const results = await scan(page);
@@ -53,11 +55,55 @@ test(
   "reports grader assignment list axe violations",
   { tag: ["@p2", "@a11y", "@grader"] },
   async ({ page }, testInfo) => {
-    await page.goto("/grader");
+    await gotoApp(page, "/grader");
     await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { level: 1, name: "Assignment grader" })).toBeVisible();
     await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Assignments" })).toBeAttached();
     await expect(page.getByRole("navigation", { name: "Breadcrumb" })).toContainText("Assignments");
-    await expect(page.getByRole("region", { name: "Assignments" })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.locator('[data-tour="grader-assignment-picker"]')).toBeVisible();
+
+    const results = await scan(page);
+
+    await reportViolations(testInfo, results);
+  }
+);
+
+test(
+  "reports grader question list axe violations",
+  { tag: ["@p2", "@a11y", "@grader"] },
+  async ({ page }, testInfo) => {
+    const target = await findGradableQuestion(page.request);
+
+    await gotoApp(page, `/grader/${target.assignmentId}`);
+    await expect(page.getByRole("region", { name: "Questions" })).toBeVisible();
+
+    const results = await scan(page);
+
+    await reportViolations(testInfo, results);
+  }
+);
+
+test(
+  "reports grader split view axe violations",
+  { tag: ["@p2", "@a11y", "@grader"] },
+  async ({ page }, testInfo) => {
+    const target = await findGradableQuestion(page.request);
+
+    await gotoSplitView(page, target);
+    await expect(page.getByRole("complementary", { name: "Students" })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.locator('[data-tour="grader-grade-panel"]')).toBeVisible();
+
+    const results = await scan(page);
+
+    await reportViolations(testInfo, results);
+  }
+);
+
+test(
+  "reports grader gradebook axe violations",
+  { tag: ["@p2", "@a11y", "@grader", "@gradebook"] },
+  async ({ page }, testInfo) => {
+    await gotoApp(page, "/gradebook");
+    await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Gradebook" })).toBeVisible();
 
     const results = await scan(page);
 
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/Grader.module.css b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/Grader.module.css
index b886eb751..7b91359e0 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/Grader.module.css
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/Grader.module.css
@@ -879,6 +879,9 @@
   color: var(--rs-text-muted);
   margin-bottom: 4px;
 }
+.historyItem.active .historyMeta {
+  color: var(--rs-brand-800);
+}
 .historyAnswer {
   font-size: 11px;
   color: var(--rs-text-strong);
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/DeadlineExceptionDialog.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/DeadlineExceptionDialog.tsx
index 0977a4c1f..709e2eb3b 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/DeadlineExceptionDialog.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/DeadlineExceptionDialog.tsx
@@ -85,16 +85,18 @@ export const DeadlineExceptionDialog: React.FC<DeadlineExceptionDialogProps> = (
         </Radio.Group>
         <div className={styles.numberFieldRow}>
           <div>
-            <label className={styles.fieldHint}>Extend deadline by (days)</label>
             <NumberInput
+              label="Extend deadline by (days)"
+              classNames={{ label: styles.fieldHint }}
               value={extraDays ?? ""}
               onChange={(v) => setExtraDays(typeof v === "number" ? v : 0)}
               min={0}
             />
           </div>
           <div>
-            <label className={styles.fieldHint}>Time-limit multiplier</label>
             <NumberInput
+              label="Time-limit multiplier"
+              classNames={{ label: styles.fieldHint }}
               value={timeMultiplier ?? ""}
               onChange={(v) => setTimeMultiplier(typeof v === "number" ? v : 1)}
               min={0}
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GradePanel.spec.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GradePanel.spec.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7538cccb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GradePanel.spec.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+import type { GraderStudentAnswer } from "@store/grader/grader.logic.api";
+import userEvent from "@testing-library/user-event";
+import { vi } from "vitest";
+
+import { renderWithMantine, screen } from "@/test/renderWithMantine";
+
+import { GradePanel } from "./GradePanel";
+
+const student: GraderStudentAnswer = {
+  sid: "ada",
+  first_name: "Ada",
+  last_name: "Lovelace",
+  answer: "",
+  attempts: 2,
+  score: 4,
+  comment: "Good work",
+  max_points: 10
+};
+
+const renderPanel = () => {
+  const onAutoAdvanceChange = vi.fn();
+
+  renderWithMantine(
+    <GradePanel
+      student={student}
+      maxPoints={10}
+      score={4}
+      comment="Good work"
+      status="idle"
+      hasPrev
+      hasNext
+      positionLabel="1 / 3"
+      onScoreChange={vi.fn()}
+      onCommentChange={vi.fn()}
+      onCommentBlur={vi.fn()}
+      onScoreBlur={vi.fn()}
+      onPrev={vi.fn()}
+      onNext={vi.fn()}
+      onRetry={vi.fn()}
+      autoAdvance={false}
+      onAutoAdvanceChange={onAutoAdvanceChange}
+    />
+  );
+
+  return { onAutoAdvanceChange };
+};
+
+describe("GradePanel", () => {
+  it("associates grading controls with their accessible labels", () => {
+    renderPanel();
+
+    expect(screen.getByLabelText("Points (max 10)")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByLabelText("Comment")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByRole("status")).toHaveTextContent("Ada Lovelace");
+  });
+
+  it("labels and updates the auto-advance switch", async () => {
+    const { onAutoAdvanceChange } = renderPanel();
+
+    await userEvent.click(screen.getByLabelText("Auto-advance after save"));
+
+    expect(onAutoAdvanceChange).toHaveBeenCalledWith(true);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GradePanel.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GradePanel.tsx
index fc7da58f5..b2d3eaccf 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GradePanel.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GradePanel.tsx
@@ -77,7 +77,12 @@ export const GradePanel = forwardRef<GradePanelHandle, Props>(function GradePane
     <div className={styles.gradePane} data-tour="grader-grade-panel">
       <div className={styles.gradePaneHeader}>
         <Icon name="user" size={18} className={styles.gradePaneAvatar} />
-        <div className={styles.gradePaneIdentity}>
+        <div
+          className={styles.gradePaneIdentity}
+          role="status"
+          aria-live="polite"
+          aria-atomic="true"
+        >
           <div className={styles.gradePaneName}>{studentName}</div>
           <div className={styles.gradePaneMeta}>
             {student ? (
@@ -98,7 +103,7 @@ export const GradePanel = forwardRef<GradePanelHandle, Props>(function GradePane
       </div>
 
       {onAutoAdvanceChange && (
-        <label
+        <div
           data-tour="grader-auto-advance"
           className={styles.autoAdvanceToggle}
           title="When on, jumps to the next ungraded student a moment after saving. You can always undo from the toast."
@@ -107,10 +112,14 @@ export const GradePanel = forwardRef<GradePanelHandle, Props>(function GradePane
             checked={!!autoAdvance}
             onChange={(e) => onAutoAdvanceChange(e.currentTarget.checked)}
             size="xs"
+            label={
+              <>
+                <Icon name="forward" />
+                <span>Auto-advance after save</span>
+              </>
+            }
           />
-          <Icon name="forward" />
-          <span>Auto-advance after save</span>
-        </label>
+        </div>
       )}
 
       <div className={styles.gradePaneNav}>
@@ -142,10 +151,11 @@ export const GradePanel = forwardRef<GradePanelHandle, Props>(function GradePane
       </div>
 
       <div>
-        <label className={styles.fieldLabel}>Points (max {maxPoints})</label>
         <div data-tour="grader-points-input" className={styles.scoreRow}>
           <NumberInput
             ref={scoreInputRef}
+            label={`Points (max ${maxPoints})`}
+            classNames={{ label: styles.fieldLabel, input: styles.scoreInput }}
             value={score}
             onChange={(v) => onScoreChange(typeof v === "number" ? v : 0)}
             onBlur={onScoreBlur}
@@ -153,15 +163,15 @@ export const GradePanel = forwardRef<GradePanelHandle, Props>(function GradePane
             max={maxPoints}
             clampBehavior="strict"
             disabled={isDisabled}
-            classNames={{ input: styles.scoreInput }}
           />
         </div>
       </div>
 
       <div>
-        <label className={styles.fieldLabel}>Comment</label>
         <Textarea
           ref={commentRef}
+          label="Comment"
+          classNames={{ label: styles.fieldLabel }}
           data-tour="grader-comment-input"
           value={comment}
           onChange={(e) => onCommentChange(e.currentTarget.value)}
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GraderPageSection.spec.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GraderPageSection.spec.tsx
index 378b38686..360dcc093 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GraderPageSection.spec.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GraderPageSection.spec.tsx
@@ -32,4 +32,22 @@ describe("GraderPageSection", () => {
 
     expect(screen.getByRole("heading", { level: 2, name: "Gradebook" })).toHaveFocus();
   });
+
+  it("does not steal focus when navigating between students on the same question", () => {
+    const { rerender } = render(
+      <GraderPageSection heading="Question" pathname="/grader/1/questions/2/students/s1">
+        <button type="button">Student row</button>
+      </GraderPageSection>
+    );
+    const studentRow = screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Student row" });
+
+    studentRow.focus();
+    rerender(
+      <GraderPageSection heading="Question" pathname="/grader/1/questions/2/students/s2">
+        <button type="button">Student row</button>
+      </GraderPageSection>
+    );
+
+    expect(studentRow).toHaveFocus();
+  });
 });
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GraderPageSection.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GraderPageSection.tsx
index 47e3188ac..8da9e4749 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GraderPageSection.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/GraderPageSection.tsx
@@ -13,10 +13,11 @@ export const GraderPageSection: React.FC<GraderPageSectionProps> = ({
   pathname
 }) => {
   const headingRef = useRef<HTMLHeadingElement>(null);
+  const pagePathname = pathname.replace(/\/students\/[^/]+\/?$/, "");
 
   useEffect(() => {
     headingRef.current?.focus();
-  }, [pathname]);
+  }, [pagePathname]);
 
   return (
     <section className={styles.body} aria-labelledby="grader-page-heading">
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/MultiGradeDialog.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/MultiGradeDialog.tsx
index badf58661..c1d766c0a 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/MultiGradeDialog.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/MultiGradeDialog.tsx
@@ -307,10 +307,9 @@ export const MultiGradeDialog: React.FC<MultiGradeDialogProps> = ({
           <div className={styles.fieldStack}>
             <div className={styles.applyRow}>
               <div>
-                <label className={styles.fieldHint}>
-                  Score (applied to every student × question)
-                </label>
                 <NumberInput
+                  label="Score (applied to every student × question)"
+                  classNames={{ label: styles.fieldHint }}
                   value={sameScore ?? ""}
                   onChange={(v) => setSameScore(typeof v === "number" ? v : null)}
                   min={0}
@@ -318,8 +317,9 @@ export const MultiGradeDialog: React.FC<MultiGradeDialogProps> = ({
                 />
               </div>
               <div className={styles.grow}>
-                <label className={styles.fieldHint}>Comment (optional)</label>
                 <Textarea
+                  label="Comment (optional)"
+                  classNames={{ label: styles.fieldHint }}
                   value={sameComment}
                   onChange={(e) => setSameComment(e.currentTarget.value)}
                   autosize
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SaveStatusPill.spec.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SaveStatusPill.spec.tsx
index cae618360..7a1a33924 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SaveStatusPill.spec.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SaveStatusPill.spec.tsx
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ describe("SaveStatusPill", () => {
     renderWithMantine(<SaveStatusPill status="saved" />);
 
     expect(screen.getByRole("status")).toHaveTextContent("Saved");
+    expect(screen.getByRole("status")).toHaveAttribute("aria-atomic", "true");
     expect(screen.getByTestId("save-pill-checkmark")).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
@@ -38,8 +39,9 @@ describe("SaveStatusPill", () => {
       <SaveStatusPill status="error" onRetry={onRetry} errorMessage="Network down" />
     );
 
-    expect(screen.getByRole("status")).toHaveTextContent("Save failed");
-    expect(screen.getByRole("status")).toHaveAttribute("title", "Network down");
+    expect(screen.getByRole("alert")).toHaveTextContent("Save failed");
+    expect(screen.getByRole("alert")).toHaveAttribute("aria-live", "assertive");
+    expect(screen.getByRole("alert")).toHaveAttribute("title", "Network down");
 
     await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Retry" }));
     expect(onRetry).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SaveStatusPill.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SaveStatusPill.tsx
index 1e2414e91..af958e5d6 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SaveStatusPill.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SaveStatusPill.tsx
@@ -52,8 +52,9 @@ export const SaveStatusPill: React.FC<Props> = ({ status, onRetry, errorMessage
   return (
     <span
       className={`${styles.savePill} ${PILL_CLASS[status]}`}
-      role="status"
-      aria-live="polite"
+      role={status === "error" ? "alert" : "status"}
+      aria-live={status === "error" ? "assertive" : "polite"}
+      aria-atomic="true"
       title={status === "error" ? errorMessage : undefined}
     >
       {status === "saving" && <Loader size={12} />}
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentListSidebar.spec.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentListSidebar.spec.tsx
index 45d1234b7..b7bcec1f3 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentListSidebar.spec.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentListSidebar.spec.tsx
@@ -74,6 +74,21 @@ describe("StudentListSidebar", () => {
     expect(screen.getByText("No students match the filter.")).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
+  it("announces filtered result counts and exposes keyboard instructions", async () => {
+    renderSidebar();
+    const filter = screen.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Search students" });
+    const listbox = screen.getByRole("listbox", { name: "Students" });
+    const instructionsId = listbox.getAttribute("aria-describedby");
+
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("student-filter-status")).toHaveTextContent("3 of 3 students shown.");
+    expect(instructionsId).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(document.getElementById(instructionsId!)).toHaveTextContent(/Up and Down Arrow keys/);
+
+    await userEvent.type(filter, "Ada");
+
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("student-filter-status")).toHaveTextContent("1 of 3 students shown.");
+  });
+
   it("calls onSelect when a row is clicked", async () => {
     const { onSelect } = renderSidebar();
 
@@ -145,6 +160,22 @@ describe("StudentListSidebar", () => {
     expect(onToggleHideUnanswered).toHaveBeenCalledWith(true);
   });
 
+  it("closes student filters with Escape and returns focus to the trigger", async () => {
+    renderSidebar();
+    const trigger = screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Student filters, 0 active" });
+
+    await userEvent.click(trigger);
+    const checkbox = screen.getByRole("checkbox", { name: "Hide students with full credit" });
+
+    checkbox.focus();
+    await userEvent.keyboard("{Escape}");
+
+    expect(
+      screen.queryByRole("checkbox", { name: "Hide students with full credit" })
+    ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(trigger).toHaveFocus();
+  });
+
   it("shows the number of active filters on the trigger", () => {
     renderSidebar({ hideFullCredit: true, hideUnanswered: true });
 
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentListSidebar.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentListSidebar.tsx
index 7c7e4d142..59620b590 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentListSidebar.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentListSidebar.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { Button, Checkbox, Popover, Progress, TextInput } from "@mantine/core";
+import { Button, Checkbox, Popover, Progress, TextInput, VisuallyHidden } from "@mantine/core";
 import { GraderStudentAnswer, LateStudent } from "@store/grader/grader.logic.api";
 import React, { useMemo, useRef } from "react";
 
@@ -49,7 +49,10 @@ export const StudentListSidebar: React.FC<Props> = ({
   hideUnanswered,
   onToggleHideUnanswered
 }) => {
+  const listInstructionsId = "grader-student-list-instructions";
   const [filter, setFilter] = React.useState("");
+  const [filtersOpened, setFiltersOpened] = React.useState(false);
+  const filterButtonRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement | null>(null);
   const progress = useMemo(
     () => getQuestionProgress(answers, question, { dirtySids }),
     [answers, question, dirtySids]
@@ -105,6 +108,15 @@ export const StudentListSidebar: React.FC<Props> = ({
     if (nextSid && nextSid !== sid) onSelect(nextSid);
   };
 
+  const handleFilterKeyDown = (event: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLElement>) => {
+    if (event.key !== "Escape" || !filtersOpened) return;
+
+    event.preventDefault();
+    event.stopPropagation();
+    setFiltersOpened(false);
+    filterButtonRef.current?.focus();
+  };
+
   return (
     <aside className={styles.sidebar} data-tour="grader-student-sidebar" aria-label="Students">
       <header className={styles.header}>
@@ -143,12 +155,20 @@ export const StudentListSidebar: React.FC<Props> = ({
             value={filter}
             onChange={(e) => setFilter(e.currentTarget.value)}
             placeholder="Search students…"
+            aria-label="Search students"
             leftSection={<Icon name="search" size={14} />}
             size="xs"
           />
-          <Popover width="target" position="bottom-start" shadow="md">
+          <Popover
+            width="target"
+            position="bottom-start"
+            shadow="md"
+            opened={filtersOpened}
+            onChange={setFiltersOpened}
+          >
             <Popover.Target>
               <Button
+                ref={filterButtonRef}
                 variant={activeFilterCount > 0 ? "light" : "default"}
                 size="xs"
                 fullWidth
@@ -156,11 +176,13 @@ export const StudentListSidebar: React.FC<Props> = ({
                   <Icon name={activeFilterCount > 0 ? "filter-fill" : "filter"} size={13} />
                 }
                 aria-label={`Student filters, ${activeFilterCount} active`}
+                onClick={() => setFiltersOpened((opened) => !opened)}
+                onKeyDown={handleFilterKeyDown}
               >
                 Filters{activeFilterCount > 0 ? ` (${activeFilterCount})` : ""}
               </Button>
             </Popover.Target>
-            <Popover.Dropdown>
+            <Popover.Dropdown onKeyDown={handleFilterKeyDown}>
               <div className={styles.filterOptions}>
                 <Checkbox
                   checked={hideFullCredit}
@@ -180,7 +202,25 @@ export const StudentListSidebar: React.FC<Props> = ({
         </div>
       </header>
 
-      <ul ref={listRef} role="listbox" className={styles.list}>
+      <VisuallyHidden
+        role="status"
+        aria-live="polite"
+        aria-atomic="true"
+        data-testid="student-filter-status"
+      >
+        {filtered.length} of {answers.length} students shown.
+      </VisuallyHidden>
+      <VisuallyHidden id={listInstructionsId}>
+        Use Up and Down Arrow keys to move between students. Use Home or End to jump to the first or
+        last student.
+      </VisuallyHidden>
+      <ul
+        ref={listRef}
+        role="listbox"
+        aria-label="Students"
+        aria-describedby={listInstructionsId}
+        className={styles.list}
+      >
         {filtered.length === 0 && <li className={styles.empty}>No students match the filter.</li>}
         {filtered.map((a) => {
           const status = getStudentStatus(a, question, { dirtySids });
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentMultiSelect.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentMultiSelect.tsx
index 60c8c9c23..a2670f8a2 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentMultiSelect.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/StudentMultiSelect.tsx
@@ -70,12 +70,12 @@ export const StudentMultiSelect: React.FC<StudentMultiSelectProps> = ({
   return (
     <div className={styles.multiSelectRoot}>
       <div className={`${styles.sectionCardHead} ${styles.multiSelectHead}`}>
-        <label className={styles.fieldHint}>
+        <div className={styles.fieldHint}>
           {label}
           {selected.length > 0 && (
             <span className={styles.textSubtle}> &middot; {selected.length} selected</span>
           )}
-        </label>
+        </div>
         <button type="button" onClick={toggleAllFiltered} className={styles.linkButton}>
           {allFilteredSelected ? "Clear all" : "Select all"}
         </button>
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ export const StudentMultiSelect: React.FC<StudentMultiSelectProps> = ({
         value={search}
         onChange={(e) => setSearch(e.currentTarget.value)}
         placeholder="Search students…"
+        aria-label="Search students"
         leftSection={<Icon name="search" />}
         size="sm"
       />
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SubmissionPane.spec.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SubmissionPane.spec.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..de04e6f96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SubmissionPane.spec.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import type { GraderAnswerHistoryItem, GraderStudentAnswer } from "@store/grader/grader.logic.api";
+import { vi } from "vitest";
+
+import { renderWithMantine, screen } from "@/test/renderWithMantine";
+
+import { SubmissionPane } from "./SubmissionPane";
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  history: [
+    { id: 1, answer: "first", timestamp: "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z" },
+    { id: 2, answer: "second", timestamp: "2026-01-02T00:00:00Z" }
+  ] as GraderAnswerHistoryItem[]
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@store/grader/grader.logic.api", () => ({
+  useGetGraderHistoryQuery: () => ({ data: { history: mocks.history } })
+}));
+
+vi.mock("./questionTypes", () => ({
+  AnswerRenderer: () => <div>Answer preview</div>,
+  formatCompactAnswer: () => "Answer"
+}));
+
+const student: GraderStudentAnswer = {
+  sid: "student-1",
+  answer: "second",
+  attempts: 2,
+  max_points: 2
+};
+
+describe("SubmissionPane", () => {
+  it("puts the accessible attempt name and value on the slider thumb", async () => {
+    renderWithMantine(
+      <SubmissionPane
+        assignmentId={1}
+        questionId={2}
+        questionName="Question"
+        questionType="mchoice"
+        student={student}
+      />
+    );
+
+    const slider = await screen.findByRole("slider", { name: "Attempt 2 of 2" });
+
+    expect(slider).toHaveAttribute("aria-valuenow", "1");
+    expect(document.querySelector("[aria-valuetext]:not([role='slider'])")).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SubmissionPane.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SubmissionPane.tsx
index 9193bcf1c..e7ad3f038 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SubmissionPane.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/components/SubmissionPane.tsx
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ export const SubmissionPane = forwardRef<SubmissionPaneHandle, Props>(function S
     <div className={styles.submissionPane} data-tour="grader-preview-pane">
       <div className={styles.attemptBar} data-tour="grader-history">
         <div className={styles.attemptBarRow}>
-          <span className={styles.attemptLabel}>
+          <span className={styles.attemptLabel} role="status" aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">
             <Icon name="history" size={14} />
             <strong>
               {totalAttempts > 0
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ export const SubmissionPane = forwardRef<SubmissionPaneHandle, Props>(function S
             max={totalAttempts - 1}
             step={1}
             className={styles.attemptSlider}
+            thumbLabel={`Attempt ${activeAttempt + 1} of ${totalAttempts}`}
           />
         )}
       </div>
diff --git a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/pages/GraderQuestionPage/GraderQuestionPage.tsx b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/pages/GraderQuestionPage/GraderQuestionPage.tsx
index 67f6387f5..aa604f51a 100644
--- a/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/pages/GraderQuestionPage/GraderQuestionPage.tsx
+++ b/bases/rsptx/assignment_server_api/assignment_builder/src/components/routes/Grader/pages/GraderQuestionPage/GraderQuestionPage.tsx
@@ -314,14 +314,21 @@ export const GraderQuestionPage: React.FC = () => {
 
   if (!data && isLoading) {
     return (
-      <Center className={styles.loadingWrap}>
+      <Center
+        className={styles.loadingWrap}
+        role="status"
+        aria-live="polite"
+        aria-label="Loading student answers"
+      >
         <Loader />
       </Center>
     );
   }
   if (!data) {
     return (
-      <div className={styles.emptyState}>Couldn't load student answers. Refresh the page.</div>
+      <div className={styles.emptyState} role="alert">
+        Couldn't load student answers. Refresh the page.
+      </div>
     );
   }
 
diff --git a/components/rsptx/templates/_react_base.html b/components/rsptx/templates/_react_base.html
index 33cbf3d1a..1dac1aea0 100644
--- a/components/rsptx/templates/_react_base.html
+++ b/components/rsptx/templates/_react_base.html
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <!DOCTYPE html>
-<html>
+<html lang="en">
     <head>
         <meta charset="utf-8" />
         <title>{% block title %}Runestone Academy{% endblock %}</title>