Grading Practice

Standards Based Grading

...is a grading practice that measures students' performance and proficiency on well-defined science standards and course objectives. This means that the grade a student receives actually reflects their learning and is not based on work ethic, work completion or extra credit. However, a solid work ethic and the completion of all class work and homework will absolutely lead to a better mastery of the standards.

It is true, I don't follow standards based grading practice completely. I do have a component in my grading where 30% of the grade is showing mastery of formative, practice assessments. These formative assessments can sometimes be redone until mastery is reached. I also dedicate 10% of the final grade to the 21st century skills of leadership, participation and team work. That being said, 60% of a student's grade is based on their performance on summative assignments and assessments.

Classwork and homework are generally not graded (a few exceptions); but because they are so closely and transparently tied to the standards and objectives, students see the value in completing the assignments in order to enhance their learning! Self-motivating!