"Excelling" and "Proficient" are used to describe how well a student is grasping concepts and applying their skills. While both indicate strong performance, there are important distinctions between them.
It is important to note that, while a student may have a perfect score on an assessment, if the assessment didn't provide an opportunity to demonstrate excelling thinking, the student is not at an excelling level.
For our youngest learners, the K-4 scale focuses on developing core understanding and independence.
Excelling: A student who is "Excelling" goes above and beyond expectations. They show an exemplary understanding of what they're learning, not just in familiar situations, but also when faced with new and unfamiliar contexts. Crucially, they demonstrate this understanding independently, requiring no assistance to apply their knowledge. Think of it as mastering a concept so thoroughly they can teach it to someone else or solve novel problems using what they've learned.
Proficient: A "Proficient" student has a strong understanding of the learning outcomes. They can confidently apply their knowledge in a variety of familiar learning situations. While they might occasionally need minimal guidance and support to navigate more complex tasks or new scenarios, they are generally able to work through concepts effectively and demonstrate solid comprehension.
In essence, for K-4, "Proficient" means a student has a solid grasp of the material, while "Excelling" means they've mastered it to the point of independent application in a wide range of situations, including new ones. Excelling does not mean above grade level.
As students progress into grades 5-8, our scale emphasizes deeper mastery, application of skills, and a higher level of independence, reflected also in percentage ranges.
Excelling (E): An "Excelling" student demonstrates exemplary performance, showcasing a true mastery of knowledge and skills at their grade level. They are not only able to understand what they've learned but can also apply these skills and strategies effectively in new learning situations – situations they haven't encountered before. This level often corresponds to a 90% - 100% understanding, indicating a comprehensive and flexible grasp of the material.
Proficient (P): A "Proficient" student demonstrates a strong performance, indicating a solid understanding of the knowledge and skills expected at their grade level. They are capable of applying their skills and strategies in a variety of learning situations that are generally familiar to them. While they may not consistently or independently tackle entirely new challenges with the same ease as an excelling student, they have a robust foundation. This level typically aligns with a 75% - 89% understanding.
For 5-8, "Proficient" signifies a strong and reliable understanding of grade-level material, while "Excelling" indicates a deeper level of mastery, where students can independently and consistently apply their knowledge and skills to solve problems and understand concepts even in novel contexts. Excelling does not mean above grade level.