Family Resources
5 Ways Families Can Support Students
Familiarize yourself with the content area Critical Concept video(s) and Proficiency Scale orientations below.
At the beginning of a course, ask for a link/copy to the course syllabus (provided by the teacher). This resource is often where educators indicate important course information, such as learning targets, scored assignments, and revision/reassessment policies.
When your student is preparing for a scored task or assessment, ask them what Critical Concept(s) they are preparing to demonstrate proficiency on and if a rubric or checklist has been provided. Rubrics and checklists provide clarity on how students will be assessed. Consider asking questions, such as:
How does your in-class work/lessons connect to this learning target or Critical Concept?
What do you understand about this concept? What feels challenging? What might you need to do to better understand this concept? How can I help? How can your teacher help?
If your child is planning to reassess or revise work, ask them about any feedback they have received (written or verbal) and/or if they are clear on their areas for growth. Initial feedback provides vital information to assist students in progressing their understanding and overall proficiency in Critical Concepts.
Still feeling stuck on how to support? Your student's teacher is your greatest partner. You can always reach out to them or your school site's administrator.
Curious about what Critical Concepts and Proficiency Scales look like in your student's particular course?
Use the video library below, curated by secondary content areas, to quickly learn more:
Distribution of Critical Concept lists are made available to students and families of SDUSD. To request access to the full list of SDUSD Secondary Critical Concepts (Level 3), please fill out this request form. If you are a student logged into your SANDI.NET account, you can access the full list here.
CCTE
ELD
English Language Arts
History Social Science
Math
Physical Education
Science
VAPA
World Languages
The shift towards Standards-Based Learning is informed by extensive research.
Check out the resources below and see why other districts across the country have already made this shift.
Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, How It Transforms Schools and Classrooms
Mark Boswell and Joe Feldman talk about how traditional grading practices can harm students and perpetuate achievement and opportunity gaps. They also explore how schools can adopt more equitable grading practices that are accurate, bias-resistant, and motivational -- as we are doing at SDUSD.
Standards-Based Grading
Nampa School District clearly breaks down why grading in a standards-based learning system provides better data on student learning for families, educators and students.
- PODCASTS -
Harvard EdCast: Grading for Equity - Feldman (2019)
Mind Shift: Grades Have Huge Impact, But Are They Effective? - KQED (2021)
High Reliability School - Marzano Resources (2022)
- ARTICLES -
Why Standards-Based?
Making the Case for Standards-Based Grading - Oliver (2011)
Seven Reasons for Standards-Based Grading - Scriffiny (2008)
The Case Against the Zero - Reeves (2004)
Grades that Show What Students Know - Marzano (2011)
Perspectives/What We Learn From Grades - Sherer (2011)
The Case Against Grades - Kohn (2011)
No Penalties for Practice - Fisher, Frey, & Pumpian (2011)
Changing our Grading System
Starting the Conversation About Grading - Brookhart (2011)
Five Obstacles to Grading Reform - Guskey (2011)
The Challenges of Standards-Based Grading - Guskey & Jung (2006)
Leading to Change/Effective Grading Practices - Reeves (2008)
Grading Policy AR5121 (2020) - San Diego Unified School District
Standards-Based Grading: What to Know for the 2021-2022 School Year - PowerSchool
Equitable Practices
Standards-Based Grading and Reporting: A Model for Special Education - Jung & Guskey (2007)
Grading Exceptional Learners - Jung & Guskey (2010)
Separating Academic and Non-Academic Factors
Making High School Grades Meaningful - Guskey (2005)
Grading to Communicate - Winger (2005)
- BOOKS -
Grading for Equity: What it is, why it matters, and how it can transform schools and classrooms - Feldman (2018)
Leading Standards-Based Learning: An Implementation Guide for Schools and Districts - Heflebower, Hoegh & Warrick (2020)
A Teacher's Guide to Standards-Based Learning (An Instruction Manual for Adopting Standards-Based Grading, Curriculum, and Feedback) Teachers Guide Edition - Heflebower, Hoegh, Warrick, Flygare & Marzano (2018)