Questions & Answers for Parents on Standards Based Grading
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The Goal for Grading in a Standards-Based Systems is to Support Learning and
to Encourage Student Success.
1) Purpose of Grading
*The most important purpose for grading is to communicate student achievement.
*Grades should be based on achievement (demonstrates the knowledge and
skill components of the Standards
*Effort, participation, attitude and other behaviors shall not be included in grades,
but shall be reported separately on the report card
2) Why Change to a Standards Based Report Card?
*NC Student Accountability Standards
*WCPSS Promotion/Intervention Policy
*The new report card aligns to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study
*The new report card aligns with the grade level expectations.
*Requests from parents and teachers for more consistency from teacher to teacher
and school to school.
3) What are Standards?
Standards are statements that identify the knowledge and skills that should be
taught in schools for all disciplines. The Standards for each discipline are located
in WCPSS Connections. They are also available on online www.wcpss.net
4) What is the Purpose of Standards?
The Purpose of standards is to state what each child needs to know and be able to do to be successful in the next grade and, ultimately to be a productive and contributing citizen.
5) How are Standards Measured?
*In grades K-2 by ongoing and quarterly assessments in reading, writing and
math.
*In grades 3-5 reading is assessed twice per year and on-
going observations are recorded on the literacy assessment cards.
*Writing is scored quarterly and on-going observations are also recorded on the
literacy assessment cards.
*Students will be measured quarterly in Social Studies, Science
and Healthful Living on the standards listed in the WCPSS Connections.
What Types of Assessments are given?
*Formative Assessments
They are designed to provide direction for improvement and/or adjustment
to a program for individual students or for a whole class. Some examples
may include quizzes, initial drafts/attempts, homework, and questions
during instruction. As part of assessment, teachers provide students with
feedback that guides their efforts toward improved achievement.
*Summative Assessments
They are designed to provide information about a student’s achievement
at the end of a period of instruction on the Standard(s). Some examples
may include tests, final draft/attempts, assignments, projects, performance tasks.
Summative assessments will be used to determine grades on the report card.
*Teachers will be responsible to record and maintain evidence of achievement
(e.g. portfolios, conferencing, tracking sheets, etc.)
*Teachers will provide several assessment opportunities.
6) Why Have a Rating Scale/Numeric Levels 1, 2, 3, 3* and 4?
-It provides consistency in grading for all content areas.
-It compares the students against the standards for the core subjects.
-The rating scale tells how well students perform in relationship to the
standards.
-It helps to reduce subjectivity.
7) What are the Rating Scales and What Do They Mean?
Level 1 Insufficient performance of targeted grade level standards; not able to perform successfully at this level. Re-teaching and re-assessment are needed for academic success.
“I don’t get it yet. I need help.”
Level 2 Need support to meet targeted grade level standards; degree of
uncertainty
“I almost get it but I need help.”
Level 3 Demonstrates proficiency of targeted grade level standards;
confident and competent responses.
“”I get it!” “I can do it well!”
Level 3* Demonstrates proficiency of targeted grade level standards with
evidence of application.
Level 4 Extends targeted grade level standards; shows the ability to extend
the concepts . The student demonstrates the ability to apply
knowledge and skills independently, by using sophisticated
strategies to solve complex problems.
“Since I can do/get this, I can figure out new things!”
8) How are Grades Determined in the Standards Based Model?
-Quarterly Objectives listed in the Connections.
-Assessment Data
Literacy Card
Math Cards
Rubrics
-Grades are based on learning goals/objectives
-Students and parents will know which assessments “count” in
determining the child’s report grade, level of proficiency and which
standards/objectives will be assessed each quarter.
-The student’s more recent, most consistent level of performances guides the
the teacher’s judgment in determining the grade.
-Student work will be available as evidence of achievement
9) How will homework be handled in the Standards Based Model?
-Homework will not be graded, but will be an opportunity for students to
practices their skills and knowledge on the objectives.
-Teachers will give feedback on homework assignments in the form of
written comments.
10) Work Habits and Conduct will be separate with a rating of 1-3
Students and Parents will know the expectations for work habits and appropriate conduct at the beginning of the school year. A rubric will be provided to parents and students.
11) The Comment Section on the Standards Based Report Card will be specific. The parent will be informed of the student’s strengths, areas for improvements and the interventions to address the areas for improvement.
12) What should parents expect in the Tuesday Folders.
Comments on papers/assignments will indicate how the child is progressing toward proficiency on the standards/objectives for the quarter. Not every assignment is a final assessment of academic achievement. Many activities
are intended as practice, which develop the student’s understanding and help the teacher know what additional instruction is needed.
13) How will students be assessed in Spanish, PE, Art and Music?
-Students will be assessed at the end of 2nd and 4th quarters.
-Students will receive a numeric level in the content area related to the
standard based grading (Level 1-4)
-Students will also receive a rating of 1-3 for participation. Teachers
will inform the parents and students of the objectives to be taught in the
content area and the rubric for participation.